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
whoever want to oppose muslim talaq system or polygamy matter in please learn about it then come to talk about it.........
@ #13 Naren Kotian Singapore.
Naren please join our Sister Jashodaben Fans Group,We will make you the President of our Fans Club.If possible we will expand our fans club in Singapore also.
Xavier Mamu,
Cool down, Don't be frustrated. Chaddi brothers will never come to your support when you are in trouble. Relax. Dont forget the Church Attack.
Mr Ibrahim is right, Allah's command is final, no one can change
if you do also it will be fail....
ISLAM is peace religion, never said do not feed non muslims and anti social activities... Always says respect them and their priest
Islam says see the neighbor's hunger and feed them.
DO GOOD WORK FOR SOCIETY and MAKE FAIL TO ALL HATE MONGERS.
Who the hell all these muslim hate mongers tom dicky harry to shed crocodile tears when muslim women muslim community have no objection with the issue. I doubt the husbands of those sharing dias have single relationship. They might have one by legal. But God knows howmany have made back door exit entry . We all knew how the aids spread and who are responsible for it. Haati ke daant khaane ke aur dikhane ke aur. This is bitter truth. Let them look into the referendum in their own community instead tarnish the image of islam and muslim community. They have raise the issues like casteism, untouchability , abortion, devadasi system, alcohol, prostituion, dance bars, fast track hearings for murders and rapists.
Alhamdulillah muslims are proud to be muslim. Islam is the way of life evidencing people embaracing it across the world after practicing different religion majority among are women. Subahanallah. This shows how the hate mongers are hatching the conspiracy against the peace religion. Inspite the efforts Islam will stan firm . More they try malign larger will benefit islam. Tareeq gawah hai.
Dear Ms. Bhat,
In Islam polygamy only allowed to those person who has the capacity to look after with justice. Of course, women are not a use & throw item. Do not under estimate polygamy. It can solve lot of social problems. If you think that marry more than one is just for satisfaction purpose, then do you have any answer about Lord Krishna, who has married 16,000 women?
Look at the frustration ..muah...chummah gang completely in disarray ...hahaha...jashoda Ben fans Anthe .. This community took women as property and they were raping women under the strict rules...this is the main reason 60% prostitutes in kamati puram are from -----community. Ree faizhal Bhai elree idira ....burqa togondra. . I mean for protest rally ge.....rikacha nu seriskondu bidi ....swalpa straight and balukuva made irli ...yaake Andre burqa haaki kondirodu gandu antha gottagbaardu ...haha ...chennagi practice maadri ...
uncultured cong leader
Xavier Uncle. (Im sure he is not a Christian).
Jaun Zale. Dont comment just for the sake of Commenting.Rather Shut your Mouth.
Dear Aunties,
First tell Our Honerable Modi ji,To take care of his Own Wife our beloved sister Jashodaben. please tell him to give her the identity.So that she can spend rest of her life peacefully.
Abu Muhammad #6 CALM DOWN...
People are Ignorant of the REALiTY without making their research they come out and make bow bow by BLINDLY following their Evil Stupid thinking Leaders who also trap the IGNORANTS who want to live a life of UnAware of the consequences with the CREATOR...
Ms. Bhat, I advise you to marry first, change your status from single to marital, try to become a mother to someone and enhance your family tree. with regards to your queries or objection whatsoever, I strongly recommend you to read Chapter Talaq in holy Quran just once in your life time, do a qualitative study, then come to the public (I'm sure then you don't need to come) give your statement.
Sulochana Bhat, first look into your house - in your Brahmin community when husband dies, the widow is shaven, locked in the house and called MUNDE BIRANDI. Women in her period is kept out of the house like dirty dogs, you like your sister to be prostitutes than being a second wife enjoying all rights, freedom, respect and legal status. Your Lord Rama's father practiced polygamy, Pandavas practiced it, Your Lord Krishna had 16,108 wives officially wholesale polygamy ever recorded, Look into your various scriptures for further details and who practiced polygamy. Hindu kings had scores of official and un-official wives. For Polygamy and Divorce is the blessing from God Almighty. See the condition of your leader's wife - she has been suffering like hell in this world, neither divorced nor recognised as wife - Treated like worse than animal. This is the honour you and your Jumla party giving to the woman as your scripture says - NA STREE SWATANTRYA MARHATI.
Why public interested in personal or religious matter? Is anyone getting harm with these?
Dear sisters, very rarely you will find polygamy system followers in Islam. If they do it is their personal matter and better than prostitution. If any poor lady or someone getting respectful life what is wrong with it. Also remember, they should treat them equally so there is no questions about cheating or insulting.
The women in Pictures... and also those who want to increase their intellect...
Please watch this below video in YT
\Ahmed Deedats Amazing answers to 2 questions\""
Yes, polygamy is better than prostitution. Those who do not know the meaning of verses from Quran try to learn the meaning in your mother tongue then only you will be convinced what is and why polygamy.
dear hindu sisters the moment you know about the rights islam has given to women you will no longer remain to be non muslim, A true muslim, and most majority of muslim men dont treat women as objects it is the non islam religions which are treating women as sex objects, i think for these above ladies prostitution is justified if their husbands do , what a shame and they forget that prostitution with whom they are doing is a daughter, or wife or mother of someone., is it ok for them if someone do the same with their daughter or wife or mother.
ISLAM IS THE RELIGION WHICH IS THE TRUE AND THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE. AND ACCEPTED BY THE CREATOR, SUSTAINER AND THE CHERISHER OF THE UNIVERSE ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY.
BJP is concerned about woman....why they are not concerned about Modi's wife....she has been longing for joining him....why women's right group helping her....and not talking about it.......scared....hypocrites...
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