Ramazan begins, airfares soar to Rs500,000 for business class

As the month of Ramazan dawned, so did significant price hikes across all airlines. Business class fares soared to an unprecedented Rs500,000, while economy and economy plus tickets now ranged from Rs180,000 to Rs200,000. During the inaugural phase of the holy month, thousands eagerly booked their slots for Umrah pilgrimages, a trend that mirrors previous years.

Historically, this period has seen ticket prices rise as millions undertake the pilgrimage. In recent months, economy and economy plus tickets cost around Rs130,000 to Rs140,000; now, they have almost doubled in price. Business class fares, which once spanned from Rs440,000 to Rs450,000, are also priced at an eye-watering Rs500,000.

Muhammad Ayub, a travel agent, attributed these hikes to increased demand during peak seasons: “Whenever there is a festival or a busy season like Ramazan, ticket prices inevitably go up. All flights have been fully booked, and even the last few seats are being sold at higher rates.”

Amir Imtiaz Bilal, a devout pilgrim, echoed Ayub’s sentiments, describing the price surge as a significant challenge: “With costs now reaching over Rs180,000 for an Umrah ticket, one must seriously consider if it’s financially feasible to undertake this religious obligation. Previously booked at around Rs130,000, my brother had to pay nearly twice that amount recently.”

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced the sighting of the crescent moon on Wednesday, signaling that Ramazan 1447 AH would commence with an obligatory fast beginning on Thursday. The economic strain brought about by these price hikes underscores the broader issues of inflation gripping society during this holy month.