Despite the growing number of airlines in the UAE, a wide cross-section of people still want more flights to their home countries.
The reason is to end the struggle every peak period, such as Eid and festivals, to find a seat on flights back home.
And the no-frills concept, started recently with Sharjahs Air Arabia and some Gulf Air flights is still to catch on in this region where passengers are pampered. But still, it is the airline with the cheaper fare, which wins in the end, not the airline which offers hot breakfast on china plates or the one which offers more leg space.
As the airline industry expands its wings in the emirates to cater to the increasing number of passengers, the common complaint is the inefficient service on some airlines and the indifferent attitude of some stewardesses who take passengers for granted.
Over 100 passenger airlines operate from Dubai International Airport alone. Last year, 16 million people travelled between Dubai and 140 destinations around the world. This figure is set to increase manifold over the next decade, if the current fast development pace is any gauge.
Various categories
Passengers using airlines are of various categories they are business passengers, yearly holiday passengers and tourist traffic.
Gulf News spoke to a cross-section of people of various nationalities to find out their views about airline facilities from the UAE to their countries.
Fiza Naz, a salesperson from Pakistan, said the number of airlines operating to Karachi and other parts of Pakistan should increase.
"Though the number of flights from Dubai to Karachi and other destinations has increased a lot over the last few years, it is still difficult to get a seat. Low fares is the major attraction on the Dubai-Karachi sector," she said and observed that the many airlines operating in this sector have compromised on services including food, which is poor.
Hanan El Mousa, a corporate communication manager from Syria, said Dubai offers a wide range of airline options, hardly available in any other place. "I prefer Emirates if I have to go on annual vacation to Damascus, but I wont mind travelling on a no-frills airline like Air Arabia if I have to go for a short break because of the low fare."
She said Syrian Airlines is as expensive as Emirates, but its service is not good. "I would definitely choose an airline offering better service even if I have to spend a couple of hundred more on the fare," she said. She feels there is lots of room for more airlines between Dubai and Syria.
Difficulties
Mian Munir Hans, a Pakistani businessman in Dubai, said though small airlines like Aero Asia and Shaheen Air International offer cheap tickets to travellers from Dubai to Pakistan, they dont offer good services.
"Frequent delays in flights, complaints about baggage loss and difficulties in reservation of seats are common problems with low-cost airlines," he said.
"There is still room to start new airlines from Dubai to various destinations in Pakistan especially Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar because it is hard to find seats on these sectors, especially during vacations or other holidays like Eid".
Abdul Basit, also a Pakistani businessman, said though the number of airlines operating from Dubai to Pakistan has increased, overall services have deteriorated. Apart from Emirates, all other airlines, including PIA, Aero Asia and Shaheen Air are exploiting passengers.
"They are not getting value for money as they have to face discourteous inflight crew and reservation staff. They think they do passengers a favour by allowing them onboard aircraft. Their behaviour with the illiterate and labour class is very bad. Instead of guiding them, they ignore them. This practice exists even in famous airlines," he noted and urged airline managers to take up the issue.
High fares
Manohar Himthani, an Indian, who is a frequent flyer and works as an import manager with a local company, said fares to Indian sectors from Dubai are higher compared to fares to European or even Middle East countries.
"Passengers, especially families, suffer during vacations, both in summer and winter. They have to purchase tickets at inflated rates and face problems with reservation," he said.
He suggested more foreign airlines should be allowed to operate to India, while existing airlines, especially Emirates should increase their frequency to Indian destinations because its always hard to get seats on Emirates.
Rationalise fares
Avinash Kotharay, an Indian businessman in Sharjah, said there is an immediate need for airlines operating to India to rationalise their fares and stop exploiting passengers. He also urged the need to start more point-to-point flights to help passengers.
He also endorsed the operation of more airlines from Dubai to various destinations in India because of heavy demand. "Healthy competition is beneficial for passengers and will also help reduce fares," he said.
Francia Saludes, a nurse from Philippines who has been working in the UAE for the last 18 years, said she is satisfied with services to her country. She said airlines should cut down fares to accommodate the low-income group. "Fares have increased a lot over the last few years."
She complained that although they never have problems in getting flights from Dubai to Philippines, it becomes difficult to travel during the holiday season, especially Christmas.
Also airlines often increase fares making it more difficult for the low-income group.Rogel Gabriola, an assistant restaurant manager from Philippines, said he finds the service and fares reasonable. "It is good value for money, especially if we travel on Emirates."
He said the behaviour of some airline staff must be improved, as they should not take passengers for granted. They should give respect and attention to every passenger, whether rich or poor.
Mohammed Al Banna, a bank officer from Jordan, said it has now become very easy to travel by air with so many airlines operating out of the UAE. "Competitive fares and various promotions offered by airlines encourage people to travel more either to see their families back home or to go on a dream vacation," he said.
Gulf News
