Web desk: Airfares for Umrah pilgrims have increased sharply with the start of Ramzan. Airlines have raised ticket prices which has added financial pressure on passengers traveling to Saudi Arabia.
According to aviation sources the number of pilgrims has increased during the first ten days of Ramzan. As a result business class fares have climbed to 500,000 PKR. Earlier the business class fare ranged between 425,000 and 450,000 PKR. Airlines have now increased the price to 500,000 PKR.
Economy and economy plus class fares have also risen significantly. Previously these tickets cost between 130,000 and 140,000 PKR. Now passengers are paying between 180,000 and 200,000 PKR for the same seats.
A leader of the Travel Agents Association Khawaja Ayub Naseem said that bookings on all airlines are fully occupied. Therefore new bookings have become difficult to secure. He explained that airlines have further increased the fares of the remaining seats. Travel agents are charging the same rates that airlines have set.
Sources warn that fares may rise even more during the second and third ten days of Ramzan. The growing rush of Umrah pilgrims could push prices higher in the coming weeks.
Read more: Govt announces price cuts on edibles in Ramzan Bazaar
