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Domestic airfare hike during Eid

August 18, 2019 00:00:00


Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), local chapter of the Berlin-based anti-graft watchdog, expressed its shock at the media report that the airlines raised fares on the domestic routes for travelling during the Eid holidays. As we observed earlier, many bus and launch operators increased fares abnormally during almost every Eid season. A section of unscrupulous owners and staffers of transports often created an artificial crisis of tickets meant for special days. Similarly, prices of some essential commodities were raised before every Eid. This year, we heard, the domestic airlines hiked the airfare a few times, taking advantage of the higher demand during the Eid holidays.

However, some of my colleagues, who frequently travel between Dhaka and Barishal by air, alleged that the passengers had to pay exorbitant price for buying air tickets during the weekend or at the beginning of the week, not to mention the practice during the special holidays. It appeared that the domestic airlines offices used to create an artificial crisis of tickets and then they demanded abnormal airfare -- 2-3 times of the actual airfare in some cases. Some international airlines have allegedly shown similar practice if someone had to confirm air ticket only 2-3 days before his/her planned tour. The matter is an alarming one for the airline passengers including business people who have to catch flights in short notices.

In view of public sufferings, TIB reportedly said that some airlines have brazenly indulged in atrocious act of extortion by hiking airfare during the Eid holidays. It added that this is an extremely shameful example of non-compliance with national and international standards, certain malpractice that is unthinkable for the outfits involved in airlines business. Domestic airline business is growing and it has more potential to grow, given the expansion of tourism industry. Nowadays, the upper class people are not the only users of domestic air routes as the people have to travel for various purposes such as business, medical treatment and official visit. Some of the middle class people travel by air once they need to reach distant places quickly. We hope, the government authorities concerned would pay heed to the issue and address the public concern in this regard.

Md. Zillur Rahaman

Satish Sarker Road

Gandaria, Dhaka


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