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Pakistan sector bookings dip on fare hike by PIA

They, however, feel that the reaction is temporary and passengers will get over the fare hike as demand outweighs supply.

Passengers on the route also say that they have no other options except to book early and save some money.

“There is a very tough competition in the aviation industry. Initially, passengers are jolted and advance bookings dipped slightly, but that is temporary as people get used to it,” opines Syed Qurbe Irtiza, Country Manager UAE for AirBlue.

“It is just like the rents in the UAE, they keep increasing but still people are around,” he explained, adding that at the most people would cut down on the frequency of travel.

Following in the steps of the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) that recently adjusted its fuel surcharges due to the increasing oil prices worldwide airblue, too, has announced an increase of Dh25-30 per coupon (ticket) with effect from April 21.

“The fares from Dubai to Lahore and vice versa were a little over Dh2,000 and to Karachi were between Dh1,100 and 1,200. But that is not the case in today’s competitive world and amidst increasing fuel prices worldwide,” explained Irtiza.

He pointed out that the recent increase would not affect people who had made prior bookings and had bought tickets. “Our fares are demand based. People making early bookings get a better deal,” he added.

A spokesperson for PIA confirmed that the airline had adjusted the international fuel surcharges. “On a one-way trip to Lahore, the surcharge had been adjusted by Dh190-210 while on a round trip the increase was Dh350-390,” he said.

He said advance bookings are temporarily affected. “As the season approaches, the usual rush is expected,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistanis remain wary of the increase. “The increase happens each year before the holiday season approaches,” opines Dr Imtiaz Abdullah, who has been travelling to Lahore each year for the past 10 years. “I am seriously considering to skip the visit this year because it is not affordable anymore. Besides, spending on airfares, a lot of money is required for buying gifts as well as more shopping while in the country,” adds Dr Abdullah, who has four children.

Simi Raza, a housewife says, “I have the responsibility of budgeting, and this is becoming a tough task with each passing year. Salaries are not increasing at par with the increasing costs of living and travelling back each year is becoming even tougher.”

She also adds, “I feel there is a lesser choice for Pakistanis in terms of air travel. There are hardly any ‘no frills’ airlines on this sector. In the end, we end up paying more since there is no choice.”

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