Kerala   

Steep increase in fares to the Gulf

KOCHI: For airlines operating out of the State to the Gulf, this is the time to reap profits, with the demand for tickets rocketing on account of school reopening in West Asia in September first week.

The Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is witnessing a heavy outflow of passengers to various Gulf destinations. “Almost all flights are booked and tickets are not available on the majority of airlines at least till mid-September,” sources at the Cochin International Airport Ltd. said. There are complaints of denial of tickets at the last minute due to overbooking. Airlines across the board, including budget carriers, have made it an annual affair to increase the fare during this time of the year.

During off-season, the fare charged by full-service carriers to Dubai is in the range of Rs.7,000 to Rs. 8,000, a senior official with a reputed travel agency said. “But during August-September, considered the peak season from Kerala, the fare more than doubles to anywhere between Rs. 16,000 and Rs. 20,000.” Some airlines charge even close to Rs. 25,000 to shore up profits, he said.

However, Air-India claims that despite the hike, its fare during the period is 20 per cent less. The pricing is done in such a way that during the lean season, the passengers are offered the lowest possible fare, which are evened out during the peak season, Aby George, public relations executive of AI (Kochi), said.

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