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
Real face of India
Hats of to Bahrain PM. Thanks for helping poor. Our PM is busy with Foriegn Trips. Once he is back he will start Mann Ki Bath. No time.
@ Real Indian - Tired of hearing such jokes.. Please kuch aur sunao bhakt :D Why we cant blame praveen cowgadiya?
Dont blame Modi, he has given crores of rupees of Indian tax payers money to Orissa, blame the despot naveen patnaik, pseudo communist, who has failed his people
And bhainchod suar ka pilla has no time for the poor ! Must b preparing for another selfie with his g@nd towards a big black mamba ! Saaala suar busy in monkey baat !
If anyone had watched the \Ekees thopon ki saalami\" movie, this is what should be done to the Politicians and government officials when they pass away. Human nature seems to be disappearing from the Indian psyche. And should I feel proud to be an Indian?"
PM will say what can I do, it's CM work.
CM will say what can I do, it's hospital responsibility.
Hospital will say what can they do, no one asked them for vehicle.
When those sitting in responsible chairs cannot do anything, obviously someone somewhere may act. This time its Bahrain PM.
Our PM is very busy man....
I think Sushma Madam would be a better choice for PM than Moddi sir... heard she is very active in responding.... She is responding to all tweets... keep it up madam...
Slap on CMs face, still he is showing his arrogance, his response in bangalore was \i will look into it\" doest know that as the leader of his state, he carries great responsibility, even the prince of the royal family of bahrain responded, now the whole world sees what a despotic place Orissa is and how degraded it has become, inspite of crores of rupees of central assistance, hope he resigns in disgrace"
People dont help when someone is alive, what can you expect from us to do, once a person dies.
All the people feeling bad about this situation, would have passed by this poor person, without helping him. Words and Action dont rhyme in this nation.
The poor/under privileged are living a life of death and the dead have no place to go.
This incident is no ones mistake, its the fate of poor people.
No one is responsible. No one.
These people are considered Dalits & OBC so not a priority for any political party until elections....Forget PM , his hands are messy with Kashmiri pulao on his plate , ...why is the Odisha CM and even Home ministry silent ?
Talking of \HELL\" ......to this family, hell ...is here at home !! sad
If RSS gets involved with helping the communities here......they'll surely get their Conversions quota too...."
Dead people won't vote. Why should politicians care for dead people !
Ask Modiji about his mann ki baat about this incident. Acche Din are only for Ambanis, Adanis etc. For people like Dana Majhi acche din is only in dreams.
This is what Islam Teaches. Muslims do not judge people by their CASTE or COLOUR. Try to learn about Islam before its too late. Because a day will come where you have to bit your own finger for not realizing mistakes and for not accepting the the TRUE religion.
tax will be charged for the donation by Indian govt.. That's for sure.. Shame, a big shame..
all issues and problems in odisha is due to present cm navin patnaik never questioned.un opposed and un married like feku smooth operator. if his close friend wants to help his friend all his unquestioned support in lok sabha by his obedient mps. since neaeen problems are personnel. only aasaram bapu can help him with his resources and bapus self deep knowledge, feku should go out of the way and help naveen. may be he can send bapu with his full team on parole to kalinga emperor patnaik.
bharath mata ki jai
lower caste, Muslim and tribal are continued to be oppressed and suffer in a country where seventh richest people live. Exploitation of lower caste is divine and is authorised in the holy books too. Kind gesture by a muslim ruler explains how 500 years back most of the low caste got converted to islam to live and die in dignity.
Thank you his highness.
Is the Collector of Kalahandi is not a family man? How did he ask such question when the poor man was carrying the dead body of his wife along with her minor daughter from the bed of Medical. Thanks to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa,Bahraini for his generosity. In our country, no one is looking after the interest of poor.
If Modi has paid 15 laks as promised, then Dana Majhi, would not have seen this situation ....
Prime Minister from a Tiny muslim country feels the humanity.PM of our billion people & other rich tycoons of country never bothers for humanity.
But , Islam show always the humanity.
Dear Naren may he is from bangladesh ?
In reality it is the responsibility of the authorities to look every citizens of that country... But as the news spread in social media, all the political party who should have been working prior to the incident are now becoming active and taking the lead in misguiding the people....
People should understand the reality and elect the leaders who are working in your area... its time that WE people should unite and work for the betterment of our society and reject those who try to disrupt the society... Recognise the leaders who work in your area and prepare for it.
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