Airlines raise prices in response to high demand; pilgrims say costs now force difficult choices
LAHORE:
With the onset of Ramazan, domestic and international airlines have sharply increased their fares, with business class tickets going up to Rs 500,000 and economy and economy plus fares ranging from Rs 180,000 to Rs 200,000.
As the first 10 days of the holy month began, the number of Umrah pilgrims increased as usual. Airlines took advantage of this increase by increasing ticket prices. Every year, millions of people travel for Umrah, and their numbers usually increase during the second and third 10-day periods of Ramazan.
Earlier, economy and economy plus class tickets cost between Rs 130,000-140,000, but now they have gone up to Rs 180,000-200,000. Business class fares, which were earlier between Rs 440,000-450,000, have now reached Rs 500,000.
Read: City comes alive as Ramazan moon triggers first day rush
Travel agent Muhammad Ayub said the rise was driven by demand. “Whenever there is a festival or a busy season, the demand increases and the airlines increase their fares. All the airlines’ reservations are full, that’s why even the remaining seats are more expensive. The agents charge exactly what the airlines set,” he explained.
Pilgrim Amir Imtiaz Bilal highlighted the impact on common people. “With such high prices, one has to think twice before even performing this religious obligation. Previously, we had booked tickets two months ago for around Rs 130,000. My other brother booked recently and got a ticket for PKR 180,000. This shows how high inflation has reached.”
The Central Committee of Ruet-e-Hilal announced on Wednesday that the crescent moon of Ramazan 1447 AH has been sighted and the first fast will be observed on Thursday.
