Ash clears, now fares touch the sky

Chennai: Airfares have started skyrocketting after airlines resumed their services to Europe after over five days of complete disruption because of volcanic ash cloud over European air space. Even though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has warned airlines against overpricing, international airlines reservation system is displaying only the most expensive seats on sale for flights scheduled to leave in the coming days.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled in last couple of days are forced to cough up more money to buy tickets as fares have gone up by over 30% for flights to Europe. International fares were cheaper before the shutdown of airports in Europe. But the situation has changed post-shutdown as airlines have stopped offering low-fare seats.
Only the most expensive fares are showing up in the reservation database accessible to travel agents.
Fares to London or Frankfurt now range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh as against the regular fare of Rs 30,000. Fare to New York ranges from Rs 70,000 to over Rs 1 lakh as against the regular fare of Rs 50,000.
23/04/10 V Ayyappan/Times of India

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Foreign Apr 2010, Indian Aviation- In General Apr 2010