On the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, most of the local airlines have been charging extra fares, causing immense sufferings to the frequent travellers.
In some cases, airlines management are charging almost double fares comparing with the regular ones.
“All the airlines have started selling their tickets with double price on their tickets in between June 20 to July 5,” alleged regular passengers of different airlines.
Passengers of different airlines told that all the local airliners had also imposed unfair and unjust airfares on their passengers.
Ashikur Rahman, a regular passenger of Jessore route, said: “I am used to travel frequently to Jessore for business purpose. But this time, all the airlines imposed double fare to make extra bucks, which is very much unfortunate.”
Amiruzzaman, another regular passenger of Jessore route, also came up with the same problem.
He said: “An AC bus service in between Dhaka and Khulna route is charging an additional Tk200 while airliners are charging almost double ahead of Eid.”
“It is true that the transport owners will incur loss while their buses will return to Dhaka with empty seats. Airlines will also face the same problem in their return flights. But, the bus owners’ additional charge is much lesser than the airfare,” opined Amiruzaman.
Industry insiders alleged that the state-run Biman Bangladesh Airlines is also involved in unfair competition by increasing its fair along with the other private airlines.
“At least Biman should give some discount on airfares ahead of Eid. Rather, they engaged with unhealthy competition with other private airlines, though it’s a 100% government’s organisation,” said Sabbir Hasan, a regular passenger of Dhaka-Chittagong and Sylhet routes.
Rejecting the allegation, Sohail Majid, head of Marketing and Sales, Novoair said: “The management of the airlines didn’t increase regular airfare in any routes because of Eid. As the lowest airfare tickets are sold out, passengers are to buy the higher fare tickets.”
Kamrul Islam, deputy general manager (DGM) of US-Bangla Airlines told the that the sales department of the airlines was selling the tickets according to segment system.
“Now, we don’t have any more the lowest segment tickets as they are sold out. Only higher segment tickets still remain available. That is why most of the passengers facing this problem while purchasing tickets,” he explained.
However, all the airlines have announced a special discount offer for the return flight before and after Eid to attract the passengers.
As there are less Dhaka bound passengers now just before Eid, all the airlines have offered a ticket in between Tk1,880 and Tk2,000.
The same offer will remain open from July 8 to 14 from Dhaka to different destinations.
US-Bangla airlines announced a discount fare at Tk1,999 from July 1 to 7 from Jessore-Dhaka, Rajshahi-Dhaka, Barisal-Dhaka, Syedpur-Dhaka destinations while this fare would be applicable from July 8 to 14.
Novoair also announced the discount official fare at Tk1,800 on the same routes while Biman offered Tk2, 000 on the same routes.
On the holy occasion of Eid, additional flights will be introduced in 5 domestic routes by Novoair. The 5 routes are-Saidpur, Jessore, Cox’s Bazar, Rajshahi and Barisal.