News Desk |
In a unanimous message to the passengers, the airlines have decided to charge higher airfare because of the rising fuel prices.
While guarding the airline profits, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other private airlines in the country have jacked up their fares up to 41 percent on the pretext of the rise in fuel prices in the international market and the soaring dollar.
It’s difficult to predict how much more expensive seats will become or the fare would be increased, but the message is clear from the carriers that they will charge more. The Express Tribune while quoting sources said that PIA, Airblue and Serene Air have reduced the number of planes for domestic flight operations.
The notification added that the decision will not only facilitate the passengers but will also enhance the earnings and occupancy on the first Eid day.
After the increase in fares, the paper reported, a two-way ticket from Lahore to Karachi is being sold up to Rs39,500 from the previous Rs28,000, reflecting an increase of Rs11,500.
Sources told the paper that the increase in fares ahead of Eidul Fitr will cause further difficulties for the people of the country as the rising inflation has already done a number on them and is continuing to do so.
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The paper stated that all the local airlines have increased their fares as PIA’s two-way ticket from Lahore to Karachi has increased to Rs31,000, Airblue’s is being sold at Rs32,500 and Serene Air Pakistan’s has soared to Rs39,500.
Two months back, a one-way ticket from Lahore to Karachi was available in the range of Rs14,000 to Rs17,000, while the two-way ticket for Rs28,000.
Pakistan Railways offers 50% off fares for Eid
Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways (PR) has announced a 50 percent reduction in fares for the bookings on the first day of Eid-ul-Fitr. In a notification released on May 27, the PR said that the reduction in fares was applicable to all classes and trains, adding only the tickets reserved in the advance would be valid for the discount.
In a unanimous message to the passengers, the airlines have decided to charge higher airfare because of the rising fuel prices.
“The competent authority has been pleased to grant a 50% reduction in fares on all trains & classes on the advance reservation on the auspicious occasion of 1st Day of Eid-ul-Fitr,” reads the notification.
The notification added that the decision will not only facilitate the passengers but will also enhance the earnings and occupancy on the first Eid day. Also, the PR has decided to run five special trains to facilitate the commuters on the occasion of Eid.
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50% of air ticket price in Pakistan is just tax
A couple of years ago, a local website reported that on every ticket, around half of the amount is a tax. The fare includes security charges, government airport tax, embarkation fee Pakistan, excise duty Pakistan, and advance Tax, the news site reported, adding if a passenger books a Karachi-Islamabad flight and it costs Rs 10,000, around Rs 5,000 goes to the airliner while the other half is just the tax amount. For many people in Pakistan, air travel is not a luxury but a necessity.