As Ramzan begins, both domestic and international airlines have seen a massive increase in airfare and ticket rates for Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan.
As per details, business class tickets have climbed up to PKR 500,000, while economy and economy plus class fares now range from PKR 180,000 to PKR 200,000.
With the start of the first Ashra of Ramzan, the number of Umrah pilgrims has increased as usual, making airlines to immediately use this and take advantage of the surge in demand by hiking prices.
Every year, millions perform Umrah, with numbers rising in the second and third Ashras compared to the first. This rush has led airlines to increase fares due to high demand.
Previously, standard economy and economy plus fares were around PKR 130,000 to PKR 140,000, but they have now risen to PKR 180,000 to PKR 200,000. Business class fares, which were between PKR 425,000 and PKR 450,000, have reached up to PKR 500,000.
Travel agent Muhammad Ayub stated that the fare hike is directly due to the rush of Umrah pilgrims. Whenever a festival or peak season arrives, demand surges, and airlines raise prices accordingly. All airlines’ bookings are full, leaving limited seats available at inflated rates.
Saudi Arabia suspends 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah ended the contracts of 1800 foreign Umrah travel agencies due to bad performance of service and lack of standards.
According to Gulf media reports, these agencies represent a large figure within the number of agencies operating in the Umrah sector, which amount to around 5,800 agencies in the Umrah sector.
In a statement released by the ministry, it was said that the decision was taken as a result of a periodical evaluation, that showed serious limitations in the performance of the various agencies.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, said that the concerned agencies were issued with 10-day grace period to point out and correct the found deficiencies.
He explained that for the time being, the suspension will only be in place for the issuance of new Umrah visas.
The spokesperson further added that agencies that comply with the prescribed standards by the ministry within the prescribed timeframe would get their contracts reinstated.
The ministry assured the people that pilgrims that have obtained their visas before or have existing bookings will not be affected with this decision and the service to them will continue without disruption.
According to Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, the ministry would continue to effectively implement the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the future to ensure and protect the rights of pilgrims, and increase the credibility of the Umrah sector more.
He further said stricter action will be taken against the agencies which fail to resolve their shortcomings in the specified period.
Also read: Prospective Hajj pilgrims asked to finalise biometrics for Hajj visa
