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
15# f amber moral police never shut up their mouth till get good punishment.
#shamshuddin hey bro when babri masjid was demolished any kind of org like PFI,KFD is there o what so many crisis were happened before popular front forming in india then why don't the govt not controlled. please shut up and don't be show off k we know what is PFI insha allha ham honge kamiya ek din.....
aharkul #13 dear, Fighting for Justice? if you real fight with Justice go to management or principal request to solve the problem if they are not agree , students and parents is the responsible. moral activities? no never in Islam.
Dear Mr. Shamsuddin
They are fighting for justice. So what is the problem wearing Hijab or headscarp in the class room. Why you are not supporting them?
India is a secular country...be like that way...no one can impose dressing code on anyone.....religious freedom should be upheld....immoral or ugly way of dressing, of course that should be stopped....
H0nest Poeple never hide their own Names
Dear h0nest, #9
What common sense u r talking about, teach students to study 1st. Not politicise , college administration and parents will solve the problems , why flags!!! Shame on u guys following RSS tricks
Dear Shamshuddin #5
Have some common sense and logic
One is fighting for the rights of the poor and oppressed and the other is fighting to the Take the rights of the poor and the oppressed.
All Institutions & universities should keep in there objectives that they should not violate individuals Constitutional Rights.....!!!!!
Mr. naren and his team received burnool baghya....
Well done CFI.
@Sinan, please read news once again and then decide what to comment. :)
Campus Front and KFD-IFF all same , following RSS-BD-SRS-ABVP culture.. should ban all those organizations. Otherwise hindu muslim riots will never End.
Thanks to the students Organization . It's good work done.
We have to respect the institute and the Principal and teaching staff.
Whatever agitation may be, it should be peaceful and with respect.
Also you should deal with the Princepal or authority in a very respect way. Whatever their reaction may be.
At the end they are our teachers and the teachers are same as our parentsl.
At last VICTORY is always ours. Whether it is in this world or life after Death.
Good move by the management.
ISLAM says it is better for women to cover their body
And we see now a days many rapes are happening around us.
Its a divine revelation that women should cover themselves for their better respect and honour in the society...
Those who reject divine message will surely a would be victim to culprits like rapist and molesters
Srinivas management should study Why ISLAM & Christianity or some sects of Hindus Women cover and what their religious scriptures says before banning them... That's intelligence when U study and learn about the subject...
Falling to media pressure or cheddi pressure will dump you in future.
College had clearly stated that they would allow to wear hijab if the girl student and her parents formally request. Then why did CFI stage protest? Just for cheap publicity?
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