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.
Zia-ul Haq, manager of MA Convent School in Baghara locality, was booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and arrested, officials said.
Comments
The Law of ALLAH is should be first preference... Why ! cos he created all that exists and we are his properties... Some people may ignorantly blame as anti national.. But the manager doesnt want to bow to anything except ALLAH...
Why should he bow down to bharth... does it give anything? it doesnt mean i dont love my country.. ofcourse prophet Muhammad pbuh said love your Place.
But many cheddis alwz complain of others when they themselves doing everything against the LaW of the country as well as Law of the CREATOR ...
A time will come where judgment will be given with JUSTICE by the best JUDGE ... that day CRIMINALS will never escape of their dirty POLITICS and DECEPTION>
Worship your CREATOR not his CREATION.
What has been done by the Manger is very wrong not acceptable.
But Don't forget that even RSS don't sing National Anthem even they had not accepted Tri_Colour Indian Flag.
Authorities have to book the manger, Sealing the school is not the solution, let students attend the classes and Teachers do their duties...
All my dear Hindu commentators.
It is very appreciating you expressed your concerns. While commenting, please try to find out what is the reason which indeed prevents them not singing the Jana gana...
There is one main reason, all Muslims and Non-Muslims should understand about a Fundamental point of Islamic teaching.
If there is any teaching which has the most important that is only 1 point. This point has been preached in 1/3 rd of Hold Quran. And the same teaching is in Hadees the book of prophets message.
What is that main message. Perhaps even many Muslims don't know it well.
Please note it is called attributing any qualities or anything to God's quality. That is called against Oneness of God.
Again rewriting the above statement in other way, wholeheartedly accepting, proclaiming that
'There is only 1 God and no other God, nor anything has the quality of God. ' There is only 1 God, no other God, no any power that equates to that 1 and only God.
In contrary if anybody does worship other than that God, or think anything is there having the power OR quality of that God, then that person is committing a grave and UNFORGIVABLE SIN.
This is the biggest and unforgivable sin. This sin can ruin all good deeds of their life for this easy and grave mistake.
Therefore every Muslim should be careful of committing this mistake.
Now coming to our National anthem, the author has escalated the some portion of the anthem, Bharatha to the quality of God.
The intention of Thagorji might have written in good intention. However Muslims are definitely not against him, but the meaning does not allow them to proclaim that sentence.
The same type has been written in VANDE MATARAM SONG.
My dear all Non-Muslims brothers and sisters this is for your clarification and for your knowledge.
Your true well wisher and patriot Indian Muslim.
I don't think this guy had to take it so serious....at least national anthem ko gaane detha...the word vidhata can be kept silent....but don't take it so extreme and defame all together..
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