Dubai, May 5: Tickets on repatriation flights from UAE to India, which start on May 7, could be costlier than regular airfare, and adding to the financial woes of those flying back. Nearly 200,000 Indians in the UAE have registered on the website seeking to return home.
“A one-way repatriation ticket to Delhi will cost approximately Dh1,400-Dh1,650 - this would earlier have cost between Dh600-Dh700 [during these months],” said Jamal Abdulnazar, CEO of Cozmo Travel. “A one-way repatriation flight ticket to Kerala would cost approximately Dh1,900-Dh2,300.”
This can be quite a burden, as a majority of those taking these flights have either lost their jobs or are sending back their families because of uncertainty on the work front. To now have to pay airfare that is nearly on par with those during peak summer months is quite a blow.
Sources said that officials in Indian diplomatic missions have already initiated calls to some expats, telling them about likely ticket fares and enquiring about their willingness to travel.
Although many believed repatriation would be government-sponsored, Indian authorities have clarified that customers would have to pay for the tickets themselves. Those who thought they were entitled to free repatriation might back out of travel plans for now.
Fact of life
But aviation and travel industry sources say higher rates cannot be escaped since social distancing norms have to be strictly enforced at all times. That would limit the number of passengers on each of these flights.
“One airline can carry only limited passengers - therefore, multiple airlines are likely to get the approval to operate repatriation flights,” said Abdulnazar. “Also, airports will have to maintain safe distance for passengers to queue up at immigration and security counters.
“Therefore, it is recommended that multiple carriers fly into multiple Indian airports for repatriation to be expedited.”
The Indian authorities, so far, have not taken the easy decision to get its private domestic airlines into the rescue act. Gulf News tried speaking to the leading players, but they declined to provide any official statements. So far, only Air India, the national airline, has been commissioned to operate the flights.
Air India finds itself in the driver's seat when it comes to operating India's repatriation flights. To date, there is no confirmation India's private airlines will be allowed to join in.
UAE carriers ready to help out
UAE’s Emirates airline, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia are likely to also operate repatriation flights to India after Air India implements the first phase of services.
“We are fully supporting governments and authorities across the flydubai network with their repatriation efforts, helping them to make arrangements for their citizens to return home,” said a flydubai spokesperson.
“We will announce repatriation flights as and when they are confirmed, recognising this is an evolving situation whilst the flight restrictions remain in place.”
An AirArabia spokesperson said the airline is ready to operate repatriation flights when the government tells them to.
Travel agencies likely to benefit
Apart from operating non-scheduled commercial flights, the Indian government is also deploying naval ships to bring expat Indians back. Sources claim the ships are to ferry passengers who cannot afford the repatriation airfares.
Even then, considering the sheer numbers who will want to get on the flights, travel agencies are likely to see a surge in bookings since airline websites alone may not cope with the demand set off in such a short span.
Learn from Gulf governments
In instances when they carried out their own repatriation flights, some GCC governments paid the ticket fares to fly in their citizens. Those citizens who did not have the ready funds could approach their diplomatic mission and aid would be given on a case-to-case basis.
Should Indians wait for normal services to resume?
Industry sources say that those Indians wanting to fly back and cannot afford the repatriation flights should wait for full services to resume once the COVID-19 pandemic settles.
But can those who lost their jobs or seen steep salary cuts stay on without adding to their costs? And is there any guarantee that when flight services resume, ticket rates would be lower than on the repatriation trips.
As such, normal travel is expected to pick up only after the repatriation exercise to several countries is completed. UAE-based travel agencies are not seeing any bookings for summer, which is traditionally the peak holiday season.
“Majority want to stay put unless full confidence is restored,” said Abdulnazar. “I expect full normalcy to be restored not until March 2021.
“People have also taken a hit to their income. Without disposable income, you will curtail your travel.”
What constitutes normalcy?
Airfares are expected to remain high, given the need to keep the middle seats empty to practise safe distance onboard.
“We expect holiday travel to resume by October or November - but, the travel sentiment will not go back to pre-COVID-19 levels anytime soon,” said Manvendra Roy, Vice-President – Commercial at holidayme, an online travel agency. “The need to keep the middle seat vacant will add 30-40 per cent pricing pressure per seat from an airline perspective.
“This will make holidays more expensive.”
As for business travel, it will take some time to recover. Corporate staff are now used to getting work done via conference calls. “Companies will also curtail their travel expenditure since their income has taken a hit,” said Abdulnazar.
"We Hindus offer Lord Krishna's package to Muslims--give us 3 temples and keep 39,997 masjids. I hope Muslim leaders don't become Duryodhans," Swamy tweeted.
Comments
Temple are filled with IDOLs, All idols doesnt speak, it cannot help itself, it cannot move,,,, & ALLAH say human are intelligent when they THINK. I wonder Y intelligent beings are not thinking ???????
VEDAS says NA Tasya Pratima Asti... There is no image, statues and pictures of God.. Why are u worshiping such thing which is life less.
WORSHIP THE CREATOR NOT HIS CREATION... (Quran speaks lot about our LIFE and the creation of all that exists..) If the creator says Mankind is intelligent .. Then FIND out Who is worthy of Worship rather than blindly following and worshiping the LIFELESS objects..
SEEK guidance from the one who gave us soul, Just say OH God, the one who gave me soul - GUIDE me to the TRUTH..
U will be on the path of those who are successful... GOOD LUCK May ALLAH guide those who look for HIM.
I say you give all your other temples to Muslims and keep that 3 temple.
BJP always keeps this Rama mandir issue open to contest in election, if they build Rama mandir issue is closed, then there will not be a big issue to contest in election. One thing is clear BJP wont build Rama mandir. They are following divide & rule.
BJP is counting downfall because of such morons in their party
And about this giving and keeping business....does he thinks that it's as easy as giving his daughter to a Muslim boy
Guys,
Why Swami is handling the Muslim community because his only one daughter ran away with Muslim guy that is why he is in pain so everywhere he is carrying that pain that he was not able to control his daughter. we should understand his pain. just ignore him.
Subramanya swine has nothing to do as his name is fading away from active politics, this is just a publicity gimmick.
He went on top list of jokers in BJP for this joke...see the pic, he himself is not controlling on his own joke..
He is a big joker, see how he is laughing on his own joke...
Swami dreaming in day time, Contraction of temple I am sure not in your this life. you should take a rebirth again.
To dear Fair Hindu Brothers,
Please have control on his tongue. Truly, he does not represent Hindu Community.
As in every community, there are black sheep. He could be one of them,
However once again, his comments has no bearing with Fair Hindus. The strange, why BJP does not want to stop such crazy leaders to be in their core committee.
Therefore even BJP is also not yet all representing real HIndus.
Now in India, we need a very strong party in the national level., like AAP in Delhi., consisting of like minded fair and open people. Let us encourage AAP in the next election.
In Delhi, they are success, God willing they can be successful in Centre.
A New deception to FOOL people & Unthinking saffron plan to loot. More deception will come when Elections are nearer & nearer...
Looting the country & destroying the peaceful society is the only agenda of Such LOOTERS...
Forget about 3 mosques, we will not give you a dust from them...
one of sardar's of stupid .... joker swamy :p
Susu Swami network begins for the year 2016..
Ye tho pagal swami hai. !
Why only such jokers are leaders in BJP.
BJP Credibility and fate of commons : Yatha raja - Ta tha praja.
It is better if this stupid concentrates himself on fixing unemployment problems around...temple construction is not an issue for people...
forget about 3 temples............even you can not get 3 hairs instead.............. if the Ram janmabhoomi issue is resolved , then saffronists have no issue to revolt innocents against Us
Swami very understanding Gentleman as well he assume Millions of Millions Hindustani's are big buffoons what he thinks so, probably he do not understand why Temples, Mosques, Churches or any other spiritual places, swami for you better stay in spiritual place as a puja that is best job for you or better to go Tamilnadu and join Cheala work very good or we have to have some different options to you Gentle man.
Jai Hindustan
election joke
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