As soon as the holy month of Ramzan began, both domestic and international airlines increased their fares. Business class tickets have reached up to 500,000 rupees, while economy and economy plus fares have risen to between 180,000 and 200,000 rupees.
With the start of the first ten days of Ramzan, the number of Umrah pilgrims increased as usual. Taking immediate advantage of the surge in demand, all domestic and foreign airlines raised their ticket prices.
Every year, the number of Umrah pilgrims reaches into the hundreds of thousands. Compared to the first ten days, the number rises significantly during the second and third ten days of Ramadan. Due to this rush, airlines have increased their fares.
Previously, the normal fare for economy and economy plus ranged between 130,000 and 140,000 rupees. It has now increased to between 180,000 and 200,000 rupees. Similarly, business class fares, which were previously between 425,000 and 450,000 rupees, have now climbed to 500,000 rupees.
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According to travel agent Muhammad Ayub, the fare increase is due to the rush of Umrah pilgrims. He explained that whenever there is a festival or peak season, demand rises and airlines increase their prices accordingly. All airlines are fully booked, which is why tickets are hard to find. The few remaining seats are being sold at higher prices.
He added that agents only charge what the airlines set as fares. Since more people travel for Umrah during Ramzan, ticket prices have increased. Meanwhile, Umrah traveler Aamir Imtiaz Bilal said that inflation has reached such a level that people now have to think twice even before performing a religious obligation.
Muhammad Ayub further stated that ordinary people are now even afraid to consider going for Umrah, as the total cost has reached between 450,000 and 500,000 rupees. He mentioned that when they booked tickets two months ago, the fare was 130,000 rupees, but his brother recently booked a ticket for 180,000 rupees. One can easily judge from this how much inflation has risen.
