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
It's a Sunna of prophet when there is lack of rain to pray to Allah. Is there any one in this earth a sky who can bring rain other than allah? A Stones sculpture can barely get rid of a crow sitting on its head , forget about bringing a rain or giving sustainance to this world.
Dear Brother's,
Prakash,Mahesh,Rajeev,Yogesh.We dont blame you people Because its shows your Ignorance.All your Question will be answered one Day.In sha allah.
Try to learn about Islam before you Comment.Later should not say that no one guided you people about Islam.
May almighty allah bless you all and show you all the TRUTH path.So that you can save your self from hell fire.
Mangaluru is Parashurama shristi and not Brahma srishti. Lord parashurama reclaimed this land from sea and blessed this land will be free from drought and natural calamities as long as there would be his believers. So chill , This is May month, don't worry it will start raining at right time, till then let us love and care for all humans and living beings
Only God will give rain. Pray with him. Dear Yogesh, according to you rain will not come without planting tree? Then how come raining heavy in Saudi Arabia these days??? Don't be foolish. Pray with god. Don't depend on forecast. Where were they while Tsunami coming?? Did they informed to humanity about the earth quack and tsunami???
Yogesh/khuswanth or funk,go and marry to donky monkey and crab fool pepole study islam and secure your body from hell.shame on you telling cow is mother .......
Dear Yogesh,
You seem to have little knowledge, just your planting one tree will not save the world. Road developers and Electrical Contractors are cutting so much trees even Lord Indra also can not bring rain to the earth. Just for sake of commenting and Satisfying your itch do not comment. If this prayer do not harm any one and may be if there is a divine blessing what is harm.
O Allah, Shower Upon us Abundant Rain, Beneficial Not Harmful, Swiftly and Not Delayed.
We should go back to God for natures anger....praying Allah is best way to over come problems around...specially water is very essential for human kind if it does not rain, human kind cannot live so pray for him...he is sympathetic and kind...pray as much as you can...he will help overcome problems....
Dear Brothers,
Prakash, Mahesh, rajesh, rajeev, yogesh, kushwant bhat.... we muslim are seeking help from Allah for rain, raining or not raining is his wish..... its our duty to ask help from allah.....you chaddi minded people first change your mentality from sanghi to a human being.... then you will know what is religion and what is islam.
Sins of human being is the main cause for all the clamity human beings face these days. The best way to clear it up is by asking forgiveness from your creator. The people who have studied little bit of science will laugh and mock when people who have little bit of knowledge of his creator ask for forgiveness from him. In 21st century humans have excelled in science, going to space, rockets, tecnology, flying, construction but lost humanity, humility, trustfullness, truthness, spirtual. Its high time to ask forgiveness from Almighty Allah before you return to him. Lot of people won;t beleive in god his angels, his revelation, but they will definately belive in death.
Maintaining the ecological balance is definitely important. And it is important to realize the value of the trees. The cut down of trees happening in the name of development should be looked into closely. The Valencia Jeppu road for example. All the trees were chopped down in the name of creating a double road. We should ask ourself, was it required? That stretch usually doesn't have so much traffic that we had to chop the trees. Let's say for argument sake that this was needed, we still had so much place left to build those additional area required for road. Leaves us with one question, Is this development or destruction?
These brothers are atleast praying to the creator of all things for Rain. This is sensible enough to accept for those who believe in a Lord/God/creator.
But,
What about those who arrange marriages with Donkey, Monkey, Dogs etc.. for Rain.? I think you guyz should try and educate them.
Dear All, specially those mockers OR disbelievers
For instance in Mangalore more than 90% believe in God by their own way,
No doubt, sure these people pray their version of God for their every need. It does not mean every prayer is immediately responded. Praying is our duty and the reply is upto God how he wants to hear it.
Think these Muslims also did their duty leaving the action to the God. Who knows there can be 1true person who is admired by the God to his fullest contentment/ satisfaction.
No Idols
No saints
No animals
No urine
No pictures
No statues...
No MAN made GODs (FAKE GODS)
WE Muslims pray to ALLAH, the lord of the heavens and Earth. ALLAH is the OWNER of this EARTH. it is HE who gives RAIN and it is HE who brings the dead earth to LIFE... similarly our LIFE.
WE muslims Believe in the Unseen world which is around us..and it is explained in the QURAN...
There are many things which QURAN mentions to PONDER. Some people IGNORE what is said in the QURAN..
Whatever said in the QURAN have come TRUE and there are some issues QURAN explained and SCIentist have not come across. which IN-SHAA ALLAH will surely be shown to MANKIND...
ALLAH gives RAIN and it is in his Hands..
Now WE see in DESERT there is water and India is full of GReenery & Rivers still WE see water scarcity.
Recognise your lord ALLAH and dont fall to man made created things... Worship the CREATOR and not his CREATION
The prophets bring truth, when disbelivers done same as above some commentors. This is all timing happening. But these commeators should understand pooling tendor coconut,frog marrige,dog marriage ect.. theses are all the highest level of supersticion. Mr. ur get any message from rain will next week rains????????
Dear Friends, Do not mock people praying to their Lord.
In Islam there is always two level approach, first we have to do the acts using all the resources at hand, including, in this case planting trees, then we have to hope for the best by spiritually connecting to the Lord. You and I cannot bring rain, this is hard truth. if anyone says that I have control over the rain, then he has to be a foolish. Rain, growth of plants and bearing fruits that we eat, are beyond human scope. What we can best do is that we can do the work using all the modern technology and knowledge and connect to the Lord of the World to make it happen. If only rely on the technology and knowledge, then there should not be drought anywhere, there should be earthquakes anywhere, there should not be excess rain anywhere, there should not be tsunami anywhere...
Alhumdulillah good gathering, no one take credit for rain. If rain start it will not say Muslim prayed so rain will b poured on Muslim house. If we cannot do good we do not have right to object it. Plant tree first then say to other. Pray for betterment of our society. Better reframe from negative thinking nd work for betterment of our country
May Allah put mercy on all humanity & fulfill scarcity of water around us...
Dear Brothers... Instead of blaming someone better you look at yourself... What you have done for the human being... Did anyone here try to stop cutting trees or plant trees around your location...? Most of the comments shows like they belong to trouble mongers groups.. They will never think about society development & build peace & harmony among different community... First of all learn to respect each other...
Try to learn teaching of Quran & power of Islam.. May Allah give you all Hidaya... Aameen.
Parakashanna, these people not believing the Miracles, then how comes next week rain??? better bring water in Choppers like Uttarakand, then declare we are the winners!!!!
Wonderful muslim brothers. keep it up good work for the society.
O ALLAH send us rain'\ O ALLAH send us rain\" O ALLAH send us rain\""
Plant tree all over. that will be better idea.
Good work, Muslim brothers. humanity still alive
next week rain will come dont worry.
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