Airfares in the Gulf sector skyrocket after the Christmas-New Year holidays

Karippur: The sharp rise in airfares to the Gulf countries has put expatriates returning after the Christmas–New Year holidays in a fix. They can fly to various countries in the Middle East only by paying fares three times the regular price. An air ticket booked from Kozhikode to Dubai for tomorrow costs a whopping Rs 45,000. Meanwhile, three people can fly from Dubai to Kozhikode tomorrow for the same price. Usually, the flight charges to Dubai range between Rs 8000 and Rs 14,000. The airlines have raised ticket prices, taking advantage of the immense demand in this sector. 

The hike has happened at a time when most families are returning to the Gulf after spending the holidays here. A ticket on the Kozhikode–Abu Dhabi sector tomorrow costs Rs 41,000, while a ticket on the Abu Dhabi–Kozhikode sector can be purchased for Rs 15,000. Air tickets from Kozhikode to Sharjah cost Rs 46,000, while tickets from Sharjah to Kozhikode cost just Rs 18,000. 

The ticket price from Kozhikode to Doha is Rs 35,000, while the flight ticket from Doha to Kozhikode costs Rs 21,000 per head. Meanwhile, it would cost up to Rs 62,000 to purchase an air ticket from Kozhikode to Jeddah, while one could fly for half the price from Jeddah to Kozhikode tomorrow. Air tickets cost Rs 33,000 per person from Kozhikode to Riyadh and Rs 34,000 to Dammam. However, tickets are available for just Rs 23,000 from Riyadh to Kozhikode and Rs 16,000 from Dammam. Many reached Kerala with their families ahead of the local body elections. Most of them are planning to return to the Gulf countries after the holidays.