Kochi: Airfares are yet to revert to normal rates though the number of flights to the Middle East from Kerala has gone up. Prices are still hovering high as the number of passengers has increased as more countries announce travel relaxations after a long bar on flights in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Kuwait
With the resumption of direct flight service from India, the first flight landed in Kuwait at 6 pm on Tuesday. But flyers still have to pay huge rates for the ticket. The lowest fare for Air India Express from Kochi is Rs 72,000 and Rs 68,000 from Kozhikode. Tickets are not available on most days.
Saudi Arabia
The ticket fare, which was up to Rs 65,000 three days earlier, has dropped to Rs 52,000. Direct regular flight services to Saudi have been resumed after a long time.
UAE
The airfare from UAE to Kerala, which had been over Rs 10,000 three weeks ago, has dropped to Rs 8,000. But as more people are heading to the UAE, the airfare from airports in Kerala has touched Rs 14,000. The fares are even higher on Emirates flights.
Bahrain
The lowest fare on the Air India Express from Kochi to Bahrain is Rs 33,604.
Oman
As India has extended the ban on international services till September 30, passengers will have to wait for the regular flights.
Only Air India, Air India Express, Oman Air and SalamAir are operating services to Oman as per the Air Bubble pact. Flights are not available every day. The average singl-way airfare from Kerala to Oman is Rs 53,400.
Qatar
Currently, the lowest fare from Doha to airports in Kerala is Rs 8,755. The fare from Kerala is in the Rs 19,000 to 34,000 range.
