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
Salute to such Gurus (teachers), who giving the youth real path and message of peace and harmony. JAI HIND.
\ SHAME ON THOSE PARENTS\" who support their chilnder on such kind of protest, for girls covering modesty. Evern those parents may support their childern/goons if they protest for girls NOT wearing mini skirt ?"
Manjunath
Before banning college. Remove hijab from sita matas, durgas idols.
Karan singh and mahesh. Sita mata used to cover her body, which is called hijab in arabic. We all respect her. I think ur going against sita mata.
Who the hell are these goons to tell us what to wear, what to eat.
One day they will tell to wear only saffaron chaddi.
Mother therasa used to wear hijab. Even sita mata used to wear hijab . . These people cannot be called as hindus. Worst than ravana.These people don't have problems with sunny leone dress. Sorry no dress.
Its good to see, that not everybody thinks the same way.. just wondering.. do these people come to college for education for better future or just to see who is wearing what.. who is talking to whom.. come-on guys dont spoil your future and become puppets of politicians.
Karan Singh, you ______.....
Mahesh and Karan singh .... If you disturb the peace in the society, both of you will face the same fate , as of Rama sena leader Jayant Naik who has been expelled ( Gadipar ) from the UK district .... try your luck ....
LET THE GOONS WEAR SAFFRON BIKINI.
will wear saffrom loongi and shawl,
its their wish to wear it, let them wear it, why u making small issue an big
ban this college!!!
All Praise is to Allah , The Lord Of The Worlds
Dear Mr. Well Wisher Riyadh, brother Totally shirk in islam clearly mentioned in Quran, Wearing a non Muslim traditional Dress in Islam.
student please Concentrate on your studies, because in bajrangdal all are jobless and uneducated.
this principle gone mad, he wants to fight with our any situation will not allow hijab inside the college.
principle will c u soon. big protest will take place
Dear Brother K K. Acharya,
You have said well. We need more people like you from your community to talk fairly and boldly.
May God bless you Sir.
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My dear Hindu brothers and sisters,
Try to learn at least few basics of few main religions around us.
First of religion means the way of our daily life from cradle to grave.
- Therefore the life to be lead as per the commandments of God but not as per our individual wish.
- Within the bounds and flexibility of the religion we can have our choices in dress, food and many other parts of life.
- As long as we don't transgress the bounds and norms of commandments of the God, everything is admissible.
The basic teaching of Islam
- Islam has come to this universe as Ultimate and the only Guide for humankind until the existence of this world. The God Almighty says this is the only acceptable religion.
- Therefore all the Muslims have been commanded to convey this religion to everyone, Unfortunately very few Muslims do this job and most of them don't do it. Therefore Muslims are held responsible for failing to do this job of conveying the truth. Muslims will face the consequences for their failure of non-compliance to the Creator's commandments.
- But it is not yet all allowed to IMPOSE BY FORCE.
If the people choose wrong faith, they are solely responsible with their CREATOR.
Very simple and straight command
Stand with the principle...
In hindu religion too its a respect to cover their head. the things is most of the hindus are not following their scriptures... U can see it is still maintained in rajasthan and other areas of northern india...
Dears,
Muslim girls are wearing hijab as a part of religious requirement. No need to make your face red. Simple solution. You wear Red shawl & Hindu girls can wear orange scarf. Muslims will never oppose. Islam is a religion of Tolerance.
Good decision.... allow the goons to wear chaddis, shawl, langotis as they wish ........
Effects of saffron poisoning.
Principal is rocking...well done....
Why the hell you want to ban scarf? Let them wear. What you are going to lose? If you want ask your sisters and mother not to wear. But stop poking nose everywhere. You people are a major threat to peaceful Hindu religion. Hindus are ashamed of these saffron goons.
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