Airlines raise prices as demand rises; Pilgrims say costs now force tough decisions
LAHORE:
With the onset of Ramadan, domestic and international airlines have sharply increased fares, with business class tickets rising to Rs 500,000 and economy and economy plus fares rising to between Rs 180,000 and Rs 200,000.
As the first 10 days of the holy month began, the number of Umrah pilgrims increased as usual. Airlines capitalized on the increase by raising ticket prices. Every year, millions of people travel to perform Umrah, and the numbers usually increase even more during the second and third 10-day period of Ramadan.
Earlier, economy and economy plus class tickets cost between Rs 130,000 and Rs 140,000, but now they have gone up to Rs 180,000-200,000. Business class fares, which earlier ranged between Rs 440,000 and Rs 450,000, have now reached Rs 500,000.
Read: The city vibrates as the Ramadan moon causes hustle and bustle on the first day
Travel agent Muhammad Ayub said the increase was driven by demand. “When there is a festival or peak season, demand increases and airlines increase their fares. All airline bookings are full, so even the remaining seats are priced higher. Agents charge exactly what the airlines charge,” he explained.
Pilgrim Amir Imtiaz Bilal highlighted the impact on ordinary people. “With such high prices, one has to think twice even before fulfilling this religious obligation. Previously, we booked tickets two months ago for around Rs 130,000. My other brother recently booked and got a ticket for PKR 180,000. This shows how far inflation has gone.”
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced on Wednesday that the crescent moon of Ramadan 1447 AH had been sighted and that the first fast would be observed on Thursday.
