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
hahaha howdu mama , mama helda avnu helidaage madrappa , research anthe kumda ...1400 years bere ... funny ... we have seen your law in ISIS . to rape non muslims how ur law was used ... fight maga , do onething .. first muslims show they practise 100% sharia , then we will believe ... 95% crimes , rapes , terrorism , cheating , fraud , chain snatching done by your community ... first role model agi amele nimma religion law na national law alla international law madana ... i was reading a funny groom requirement in one muslim matrimony website .. groom must grow very long beard anthe ... mama nin research prakara yaake mama? helappa .. beard gu dumtaka madkolodakku difference yenappa ...
Rasheeda can wear bikini in summer season it's best for you, like uncovered chocolate
In Islam TALAK(divorce) is not easy way. For Talak(divorce) should be pass from 3 stage. that's called 3 TALAK.
Some Muslims and Non Muslims thinking that, one who telling at a time 3 TALAK, TALAK is over. It is again shariya(LAW) and they donot fear Allah(s).
Muslim cannot give TALAK for simple issue. Allah(s) will punish those who are giving TALAK for simple issue and those who not follow correct way of TALAK.
Islam gives ways for couple who couldn't get together...In certain religion there is no such concept of divorce once they are married there is no way of separating till death ...In Islam talaq or divorce is discouraged...If the couple can't get together then it provide means to seperate through talaq...If once talaq is said it doesn't end in divorce in between there is way to reconcile,couples should try to keep aside their differences..Only if scuffle further continues then it is better way to get divorced rather than ending in violence..There is nothing called 3 talaqs in single setting..It is against the concept of talaq..There are people who misuse it..There is talaq and waiting time
For women there is concept of khula if the men doesn't look his wife well she can divorce him through Khula...
For those who comment with pseudoname on burkhah...Burkhah is not recommended...Islam only says cover your hair and body and be modest...If someone is unhappy they can go in khujrao style we are not forcing them..For men too there is hijab..I.e from top of navel till knee..Body of men and women are not the same.......Most of our women wear burkhah willfully..Not like a man forcing women and tying tali on her neck..which she has to carry the burden till her death
BCH & MCH .... Krishna polygamy? Venkatesha polygamy? I also polygamy. So what turkanna. Anything I am readyMCH. Rule must be same for all human beings.Every one who sticks to one God are fanatic MCH. so shut up.
Dear avinash, Your comments shows how ignorant you are. Please think and analyze. Hizab is required in public places not at home. This is for security and modesty of the women. Actually she is not suffering , the person who want to see her beauty or nudity is suffering. Please check the diffrence between the women who wear hijab and other with sari. In sari you can figure out everything about that women which usually men like you want. This is weakness of all the men.
Hijab also treats all the women at par. You can not differentiate her as white/ Black, rich or poor, what she wear costly one or cheaper one? I think hijab should applied for all the women irrespective of religion for the safety and modesty of the women.
Regarding Talaq & polygamy , We know , sometimes uncultured people misused and endangered to the life of muslim women .. but compared to misuse of human laws or any national laws , is misused very less ... even complaints by muslim women also very rare except some modern women by the influence any particular vested interests....
In a civil country , if anybody misused law , actions to be taken against them , banning it is not the solution...
Burkha , Hijab are the modest dress to pious people .. there is no compulsion to wear it , if you doesn't like , you may find , a lot muslims , who do not wear burkha or hijab... questioning others rights to wear is like..... I am prostitute ... demand for others also same....!
Now a days there is season of challenge done on Islamic rules ....
Good for NON MUSLIMS ... (Other wise there are some honest non muslims who are EAGER to know about the CREATOR, if such thing doesnt happen they will never know who is their TRUE creator)
Despite several reminders from Muslim leaders which they also quote from various religious scriptures that GOD is one and Worship him ALONE...
People are still not waking up for the message of ONE GOD. who created them and all that exists..
Now There are few leaders who challenge the GOD's law...
& We MUSLIMs expect that cos Prophet Muhammad pbuh said a Time will come when people dont know who is their CREATOR. and there will be many followers who will follow BLINDLY (Without even pondering HOW they Got this LIFE, What is the purpose of LIFE and living a life of UNAWARE)>>> It is happening infront of our EYES in the present age..
If we study sharia law.. We will never complaint on its wisdom.. But When the ignorant leaders make bow bow many who doesnt know or read about sharia law are all clapping the hand and queing up to jump in DARKNESS>>>
Study SHARIA LAW and know who is the CREATOR.
Know one thing GOD is most merciful... He gave many chances to Pharoah, the most evil person who tortured the people of MOOSA Pbuh during his time... We should read about his END
We should escape the END result... which will show the real MARKS whether you Passed or NOT.
Know the rule of the CREATOR and STop your following BLINDLY
Hmm.. Not Surprising, the Central Govt. Panel (moderated by VHP ) is keen on enforcing a law like this.
Dear Sanghis, remember the song in kannada - \ Naari ya Seere kadda, Radheya Manava Gedda, Kallara Kalla KRISHNANU..\" :-D
And they want ban on polygamy..What irony !!
With regards to muslim women asking for such law, we muslims wouldn't really have much of problem if the Govt. brings such law. We understand these women, as some men tend to take unfair advantage of the given Shariah Law. Infact, this law banning such Talaq, and polygamy, will make us more responsible of our community and discipline us.
Banning hijab, hmm don't even think of it. If these women don't want to wear, let them not be forced. and let them
also not enforce their thoughts on other women who want to wear Burkha/Hijab etc...
BTW, Can sanghis help me in identifying the names of these models in the architecture of Khujarao , Belur temples..."
Comment by so called Rasheeda looks doubtfull name. First of all there is no compulsion in islam. Any one need to follow the shariah of allah can follow ,if you need to follow satan you can do that. But always make the better choice for yourself. Choose paradise instead of hell, hell fire is much more more hotter than this worlds peak summer.
Make Islamic law a Indian law so that it will become uniform law. Since Hindus or Christians do not have any religious laws there should not be any problem for them to follow Islamic law. Hope Govt of India make Sharia law applicable to all Indian citizens. Please note Criminal Law is already applicable equally irrespective of their religion & Muslims do not have problem with that. 1400 years of research has been done on Islamic sharia law and is practical law unlike man made laws.
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