Online bookings becoming tougher, budget flight seats filling up swiftly
Airlines expect an increase in demand for seats in the next couple of days as people leave the Kingdom to celebrate Eid with families.
Aviation officials claim that online bookings are becoming tougher with budget airline seats filling up swiftly leaving others wringing hands in frustration.
A large percentage of passengers are bachelors joining families away on summer vacations with the intent of returning together. Passengers have expressed fears that airlines may take advantage and hike fares under the guise of promotions.
A Pakistan International Airline official told the Tribune that fare fluctuations were normal and seasonal. "Fares come under the revenue management system which means they keep changing depending on the date of travel and the seats available."
"There is an increase in fares and flights are packed because of the holiday season," echoed an official from Emirates.
Gulf Air PR manager Adnan Malik said, "We have had several people booking seats well before Ramadhan. "Bookings and cancellations occur everyday so it is hard to give an actual figure of those leaving during the season. Since the announcement of the new network, the airline now supports 588 flights per week, and we handle more than 70 per cent of the traffic from the airport. The rush increases as people leave during the last few days of Ramadhan.
"Gulf Air is offering extra flights for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Bookings are blocked. Every year there is a rise in the number of people going for Hajj and Umrah," he said.
An official from Qatar airways said, "The increase in demand for seats within the GCC and to countries like Egypt, Jordan and Syria will be high.
"Dubai is a favourite of most travellers in the region. There are a lot of activities that takes place there. "Other countries in the region do not offer such opportunities. With regard to India and Pakistan we do not expect an increase because many people from these two countries have just returned from holidays," the official said.
Aviation officials were not able to provide figures or percentages related to the increase in demand for seats.
Speaking on condition of anonymity one official said the Eid holidays witnessed intense competition and all the airlines in the region would be able to make substantial earnings.
"This after all is the start of the festival season that stretches right up to December with the New Year celebrations," he said.
© Bahrain Tribune 2007
