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Expatriates brace for fare hike

DUBAI/SHARJAH - As summer vacation approaches, Pakistani expatriates are once again bracing for the increase in airfare to their respective destinations.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, a cross section of Pakistani expatriates travelling to different parts of the country, after June 15, said airlines were exploiting them by hiking the ticket fares.

"This is time of the year when most expatriates avail of their annual leaves and travel to their homes after a year or so, and this is the time when the airlines exploit us," said Riffat Shah, a manager, about travelling to Lahore with his family. "As I have to travel a longer distance with five of my family members, the whole trip costs us more than Dh 6,000, besides other unforeseen expenses incurred," he said. "We now travel to our country every two years, as it is impossible to bear such expenses year after year," he said.

While most carriers are increasing the fares on all Pakistan bound sectors after June 15, expatriates can benefit and save money by travelling before the designated date," said an airline official. Pakistan International Airlines - before June 15 - is offering Dh917+270 as taxes on the Dubai-Lahore sector and increasing it to Dh1170+270 as taxes after June 15. For Dubai-Karachi, the airline is offering a round trip for Dh445 until the 15th and Dh590 till June 30. All trips are with a 50kg baggage allowance.

"Though the airline offers discounts on these tickets before June 15, several of them have implemented other rules that have to be followed strictly," said Muneeb Qureshi, another expatriate planning to fly to Karachi soon. "If I have to travel before the 15th, I will have to purchase my ticket a week ahead of my travel date and this date cannot be altered otherwise I will have to pay an extra Dh100," he says, adding that this was unjust as there could be some emergency and a change in the travel plans. "Despite the fact that the planes are empty, airlines force us to buy ahead and stick to the dates," he said.

Alternatively, Aero Asia offers the round trip to Karachi from Dubai for Dh420 before June 15 that is increased to Dh460 after June 15. For its Dubai-Lahore round trip, the fare is Dh770 before June 15 and Dh900 after the 15th, with a 50kg baggage allowance.

As an incentive, PIA is offering a cheaper fare if the flight is taken from Sharjah airport. For the Sharjah-Lahore fare, PIA charges Dh700+270 as taxes before June 15 on a confirm ticket and 800+270 as taxes after the 15th. If we travel on a cheaper ticket, we have to face a poor service and an aircraft in which we have to sit cramped throughout the journey, said Ayesha Shakeel, complaining about the poor services offered and the rude staff aboard cheaper airlines.

"It is the peak time of the year for the airlines," said the airline official explaining the reason for the hike during the summer season. He said that this was actually the time of the year that the airlines earned after facing a loss throughout the year.