Amraiz Khan Lahore
Airlines operating to UAE from Pakistan have doubled the prices of air tickets after cricket lovers thronged the airports to travel UAE.
The T20 World Cup has triggered an unprecedented rush at the country’s airports since everybody wants to get tickets to watch the World Cup being held in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. The airlines have immediately raised their fares by Rs. 40,000 to Rs60,000.
Some aspirants also want to go to the Dubai Expo and Saudi Arabia. The most thrilling match is going to be played between Pakistan and India. Pakistan will take on arch-rival India on October 24 in Dubai.
The rivalry in cricket between India and Pakistan transcends the normal level, making the event more livid than just a sport.
Since recently, both the South Asian countries have got very few chances to come face to face but the T20 World Cup is providing a rare chance to the cricket zealots to see their players clashing with each other on an Arabian turf. People also want tickets before time as they are afraid of quarantine condition in Saudi Arabia.
All airports including Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore saw a beeline of passengers ready to fly to the UAE. The number of passengers is manifold as compared to the number of airbuses prompting the airlines to hike air ticket fare enormously.
The Etihad Airline has jacked up its Lahore to Abu Dhabi fare to Rs166,000; the Airblue fare from Lahore to Sharjah has exceeded Rs85,000; PIA is charging Rs120,000 from Lahore to Dubai; and the Serene Air ticket from Lahore to Dubai is being sold at Rs110,000.
Sources revealed seeing the load of passengers intending to go to the UAE, many airlines cancelled their domestic flights and they are using their jets for international flights. With this unusual passengers’ spate, the air fare of domestic flights has also been surged.
Yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority took stern notice of the cancellation of domestic flights and stopped the airlines to cancel their scheduled flights.
