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Pakistan airspace ban: Fares to Europe up?

A Pakistan Air Force jet. (Photo: AP) Bengaluru: Air travellers flying to Europe are apprehensive that air fares might go up as the flights going to European countries have been barred from using the Pakistan air space.

Several passengers complained that the air fares have gone up, but travel companies and agents denied it saying ticket prices depend on the proximity of the travel date, availability of seats and the day of travel.

An employee working as a flight scheduler with a well-known airline said that the flights to European countries from South India will not see any fare increase as they fly over the Arabian Sea, while flights going from North India will have to take diversions via Mumbai.

“The situation is under control and there is nothing to panic about. According to our information, there is no hike in fares from the Southern regions till today,” he said.

A few travel agents and companies said that there is no hike for now, but the flights taking off from Delhi, Chandigarh and Kolkata have to take the longer routes and it is not confirmed whether the rise is reflected in the tickets.

Anmol, a ticketing agent from a reputed travelling company in the city, said, “We have only heard that air fares have gone up for those departing from Delhi as they have to take a diversion. But from Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi and Hyderabad, there is no increase in fares as there is no deviation in routes.” Another travel agent said, “We don’t know what is happening in Delhi but there is no increase in Bengaluru and fares are according to airlines standards.”

A few passengers claimed that there is a slight increase in fares for flights from Bengaluru. Aishik Chanda, who recently booked tickets for Amsterdam said, “I keep travelling frequently and realised that there is a slight increase and when checked with the airlines, they claimed that it was due to holiday season. But we are not sure for what they have increased.”

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