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.
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Are you guys thinking that RSS doesn't know about muslim education( system..? (madarasa)??? They knew every thing but acting as if doesn't knw.their main intension is to establish a Hindu Rashtra to achieve that goal they deliberately creating unrest in the society. They have already listed Muslims Christians and communist are their enemy for Hindu Rashtra. To achieve their goal they keep hunting for Muslims and their institute. These kind of programme doesn't solve the problem of Muslims instead create a lot. Better muslim groups must educate SSF about RSS ideology and their ultimate goal.
One must understand the fact that Soolibele will not rest until india become Hindurastra.you guys make any adjustment with RSS ideology but they won't change their mindset.each and every opportunity what you provide for them they will make it as a weapon to criticise in other stage. I can understand the intension of the organiser but the outcome will be 0. (Zero). It's better SSF to organise a programme for Muslim groups \ jathyatheetha rastradalli Muslim sangatanegala javabdaari \"???? will they show the same spirit and interest..???"
Why these Sunnies always with sangh pariwaar?
Even in Ullal uroos also most of the guests are Sanghis.
Kanthapuram is the supporter of modi and sangh pariwar.
may be he is enemy for true Muslims.
Instead of nasty criticism, you fringe elements show the guts to invite him for your religions samavesha (convention) and silence him. Ofcourse, the Ulemas present gave befitting response to him and tried their best to clear the misconception of Islam. Everyone knows who is Soolibele and what he stands for. Still they invited him to present Islam. Instead of appreciating their efforts, some are trying to fish in the muddy waters. shame on you!!!
Im not a SUNNI
Im not a SALAFI
Im not a Shia
Im not a SECT
Im a MUSLIM
Cheddis never teach them what is in Madrasas and they feed hindus which we muslims never teach in madrasas. WE muslim need to Convey the message to the hindus. If we dont convey to the leaders of them Then they will engage more of such ignorant acts. Even after conveying the message, if they still follow evil acts.. Then we muslims should live it to ALLAH the true God who can save or accept his decree for whatever happens. ALLAH will look after the OPPRESSORS. so dont worry MUSLIMS.
Dear HINDUS .. Honestly in Madrasa we are taught that
WHO is our CREATOR, the CREATOR of all that exists, Who give life & death & who will RESURRECT us all to JUDGE that is happened in this world.. TRUE MUSLIMS will never despair.
When we come to know that CREATOR doesnt have any image or PICTURE or statutes.. WE muslims stay away from such thing from attributing HUMAN thinking into what the CREATOR himself, said. That is the only thing which ALLAH will never FORGIVE...
Many scientist accepted ISLAM by the Scientific Accuracy which is mentioned in QURAN which is not changed since it is revealed and it will be protected by ALLAH (the creator of all that exists) . Please try to know more about QURAN and staying infront of MEDIA and accepting whatever said in it.... Its just Fooling U guys cos U never read your own religious scriptures which says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI>
There is no point in criticizing Mr. Sulibele, as he was making a statement based on his knowledge on Islam and Madrassa. And the responsibility to clarify the shortcomings in his speech is the scholars there. I hope they carried out their duty. Dialogue is the best way for understanding each other. One-sided ranting does not be in the good interest.
Really shameful. Are these musliyars crazy ?? Why they invited this communal guy? Do no call and give respect to RSS people in Islamic programs . Really shameful program.
Invite him to All Madrasas and make him read a few lines on Who is God and Show him the Scientific knowledge of QURAN and let him know what we Worship... which also mentioned in their VEDAS...
Without knowing people commit IGNORANT acts.. Let us invite and teach him the REALITY of MADRASAS.
These musliars invited sulibele without giving him the message of Islam.as per his knowledge madrasa and musliar is islam. so there is no wrong in his thought and speech. instead of spreading moulood spread this message of islam to your co brothers like sulibele
Sometime back Jamate Islami Hind and SIO invited Shivram Karanta as a special guest in Malpe Jamiya Masjid Symposium. He also talked in the same way as Sulibele. In the year of 1984, Muslim Welfare Association of Udipi, organized a Eid Milan at Rajangana at Krishna Mutt, Pejavar Seer was Chief Guest, stated that he also believe in one God that is Sri Krishna unlike Muslims. During 90's At Uroos function of Saidaani Bibi Darga at Central Maidan, Mangalore, Veerendra Hegde was Chief Guest, claimed that, We Hindus worship God while Idol is standing position and Muslim worship sleeping position, there is no difference between type of Worship he asserted.
However, one RSS patron and many Musliars were not correctly defended Islam in the podium. This will be a lesson to the Sunni Jammaitul Muslimeen and Sunny Educational Development Committee not invite ultras of RSS in the future unless there is a good orator to defend these Bajrangis. Because they are strong enemies of Islam and Muslims.
I appreciate that this program was held and there was a short debate clarifying the misconception about Islam and Madarsa, whatever said about Madarsa, Islam and it's followers was clarified on the podium itself.
I wish more such programmes and events should be conducted by our leaders so that there is peace in the region.
All are human beings keep on telling them about islam they will understand one day, just like how media keep on criticising about islam and made people to believe that muslims are bad people. They are working 24x7 to defame us let us work too to propogate the truth even one hour a day is much much enough.
Moilars didn't get any better guest...Even if cow or goat was invited instead of sulibele to the venue it would have been better guest...Awwe avodu nikulegu...
Abusufiyan n zaini supposed to wear orange colour dress,,,, and one day they will
Disgusting! Musliyars wake up ! there is a sayings
\Kardu uughisikonda\""
Moilar: Eer daane moolu?
Sooliebele: Yaan Moole!
Moilar: Bokka eerna cheddi parivara?
Soolibele: Yeregaavuye kiri kiri? yepala avve mone thoodu thoodu saakanad. moolu ragaale ijji.. daada pandala akulu thasbi malthonde uppuver
Hilarious !Disgusting soolibele in our own programme critising madarasa remebering me a famous kannada saying \donne kottu pettu tinnodu\"!!!However organizing team well deserve this tease bcoz themselves dont know what they doing!!!"
Good Gathering of Musliyars!
Musliyar Nannayal Naad Nannai!!!
He is a product of bajrangies...of course he does not like Muslims at all...creating problems among Muslims & Hindus is his fundamental job...why he has been called to this function...don't understand that...
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