Air fares from Pakistan to UAE doubled

KARACHI: One-way air fare to the UAE from Karachi has surged to Rs90,000, which was around Rs35,000 in February 2021, before the restrictions were imposed.

The air travel between the two countries recently resumed; following the implementation of rapid PCR test facilities at airports.

“[The] airlines, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have jacked up the fares to the UAE, amid pent-up demand and limited availability of passenger flights,” Abdul Jabbar at Polani Travels said.

“The airlines have blocked [the] low-fare seats and only the high-fare seats are available.”

The airlines'[ data showed that the passengers flying from Pakistan to the UAE will have to shell out hefty amounts, as a one-way ticket now costs nearly double the average airfare that the passengers used to pay prior to the suspension of the flights four months ago.

As per the official Airblue website, one-way airfares from Islamabad to Sharjah for August 17 costs an eye-watering Rs92,920, while a one-way Lahore to Sharjah ticket on August 18 costs Rs84,033.

Similarly, one-way airfare on flydubai’s Karachi to Dubai flight on August 18 costs Rs95,295/passenger.

The UAE recently eased a travel ban on the passengers from Pakistan and five other countries, including India, but made it mandatory for the passengers to carry out a rapid PCR test, which should be conducted within the airport premises.

Pakistan has set up laboratories at all its international airports to conduct the rapid PCR tests for the UAE-bound passengers.

Yahya Polani, an office-bearer of the Travel Agents Association, said that the flights were suspended for months and airlines were incurring losses, while the demand is very high.

“[The] people stranded in Pakistan are desperate to go back, and the Gulf airlines are making the most of this situation.”

Polani said that the fares would come down, as the frequency of flights has increased.

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