Huge jump in airfares for Middle East flyers as Ramzan starts

Hyderabad: Hyderabadis working in Saudi Arabia and the UAE will have to shell out a small fortune if they plan to return home and celebrate Ramzan with their families. Most airlines have increased their fares by 300-400% for the festive season, forcing many flyers to redraw their plans.On normal days, air travel from Muscat to Hyderabad costs between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. The same ticket could cost you Rs 54,000 now and reach up to Rs 85,000 between March 26 and 28. Flights originating from Doha, which normally cost between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000, are now priced between Rs 60,000 and Rs 80,000.The dramatic increase is evident for flights connecting Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah with Hyderabad during the festival period."Arab nations typically offer four to five days of official leave during this time and individuals often extend their stay by taking an additional three to four days of leave to maximise family time. Despite high airfare costs, these travellers willingly bear the expenses to ensure they are with their loved ones during this period," said Abdul Majeed Faheem, chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (Telangana and AP Chapter).The impact is particularly severe on middle-income workers who save throughout the year to visit their families during Ramzan. Many are forced to either pay the inflated fares or miss celebrating the festival. Some are considering alternative routes through neighbouring countries, though this often involves longer journeys and multiple transfers."I wanted to purchase an airline ticket for my sibling employed at a gas firm in Bahrain. The direct flight was priced at Rs 50,000, so my brother suggested booking connecting flights with layovers in Dubai and Mumbai. Although this would extend the journey to 16 hours compared to the 5-hour non-stop flight, it would cost only Rs 27,000," said Md Adil, a resident of Tolichowki.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Women's Day wishes, messages and quotes !