Steep hike in airfares to Gulf destinations

Trivandrum: Airfares from the three airports in Kerala to various Gulf destinations will go up for one month from Saturday. Most of the airlines have hiked their fares following heavy pressure on seats due to reopening of schools in the Gulf and the Onam festival in the state.
The fares have gone up by 100 to 200 per cent in most sectors, according to the revised fares made available on the reservation system of the airlines. Among the Gulf countries, seats to the United Arab Emirates, especially Dubai, have become dearer.
Dubai is the most sought after destination from all the three airports of the state. The minimum fare from Trivandrum to Dubai has been hiked from Rs,9,500 to over Rs13,000 by most airlines. However, seats in this category have already been booked.
A passenger who wants to travel to Dubai for the next one month will have to pay higher fare, which is between Rs22, 000 to Rs25, 000 in most airlines.
The revised fares will be applicable till September 15, when the peak period pressure will ease. The peak season pressure is despite substantial increase in flights from all the three airports in the state.
Passengers from Calicut expected a drop in the fares after the airport was thrown open to foreign airlines from early this year. However, the launch of service by more than half a dozen foreign airlines has had no effect on peak season fares.
16/08/08 T.K. Devasia/Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates

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Categories: Airports Aug 2008, Foreign Aug 2008, Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2008