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.
Comments
True Muslim Even in the age of 80 fights like an tiger. But RSS fellow in the age of 20s needs a group to attack on elder muslims.
RSS needs bunch of coward sena to attack an old man or woman. It shows that they are not only coward but impotent too.
They are coward because they are the followers of Rama, one who used monkey sena to save his wife from ravana.
How they can respect?they have pros.childreans they are living in bhat house.bhat is there father.chaddis are animal.
better it is not to live than to live like a coward.
80 years old one man against a bunch of cowards proves it all.
this is an Inhuman act. The culprits should be punished.
Oh shivaji babu, I just pray that your parents should not face same problem.. Then who will you blame? Family members? YOurself or any other! every dog has a day my dear babu.
seriously inhuman act, beating elders not good.
these are not anti social these are terrorists and anti national islamophobes who are terrorising the common man.
Dear Shivaji,
From where you received that the aged couples are attacked by relatives? If it is true its inhuman. However, no relatives will attack the old couples such way where they cannot bear the pain. No media reported that the attack was by relatives, you have to clarify the source of your news.
This is not new in DK, RSS thugs and police attack aged Muslims people at thier home or outside. There are ample evidence, RSS thugs dressed in Police uniforms attacked homes in Ullala and other places in Mangalore recently. A MLC from BJP admitted that 60% RSS thugs are in Police force in Mangalore.
Kalladka is Communally sensitive since a long time, Police department sincerely work in this area to bring the peace.
SToP bending & bowing to the CHEDDIS. Dear authorities they are dragging you to HELL by portraying their FALSE history to U. Recognise the EVIL & GOOD and Support the GOOD ...
God has given you power of authority to protect the masses from such EVILS. One day U will need to answer for the injustice done to the innocent... PONDER & THINK before U encourage and support CHEDDis.
Muslims Should UNITE, its getting out of control.
The DEVILS dont recognise even elderly people & women. They attack like COWARDS...
To the HONEST hindus, dont put the AXE in your leg by supporting these devils..The one who gave SOUL (LIFE) will question when he takes back our LIFE ... JOIN hands with the secular people and stop supporting the LIARs who deceive YOU by putting FAKE FEAR to unrest the SOCIETY.
Bring Anupam Kher to Learn what is intolerance and how its spreading in India.
Anupam visit Coastal Karnataka Do some Justice To your AWARD as you JUST bagged in for doing Nothing for the Country.
simply blaming particular group, this act is done by his own family for property dispute.
really terrible, which religion is this which s not respecting elder one.
must punish the culprit. i request police to nab this goons very soon because of some bloody all society must bend their knee.
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