UAE and Gulf airlines are not raising ticket rates because of sky-high fuel prices – for now

UAE and Gulf airlines are not raising ticket rates because of sky-high fuel prices – for now

Dubai: UAE’s airlines have so far not hiked their ticket rates in response to the global surge in crude oil prices, which have touched $130 a barrel and some worst-case scenarios suggesting that it could even cross $200 a barrel. Travel agents said that fares for April will only see a marginal increase. With fewer travel restrictions in place, bookings on sectors such as UAE-India and UAE-Pakistan could double closer to the Eid break in early May. “Fares have been surprisingly muted and it looks like airlines have so far not taken any action in response to the oil price rise,” said Suraj Ramesh from Al Badie Travel Agency. “India’s airlines too have also not increased their international airfares and that could be due to competitive reasons.” A flight from Dubai to New Delhi is seen costing around Dh500-Dh900 for a mid-April flight. On Dubai-Mumbai route, some airlines are quoting over Dh800 for a flight next month. Dubai-Karachi tickets, which cost around Dh200 right now, will cross Dh500 in April. Meanwhile, flights to Lahore will be around Dh470 by next month. “The major threat to the airline industry’s recovery appears to have switched from the COVID-19 worries to rising oil