At least 80 per cent of domestic flight tickets of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and most private airlines have been sold out much ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
Most of the tickets for domestic flights to Jashore, Syedpur and Rajshahi from April 5 to 10 have already been sold, airlines sources say.
A large number of homeward people have opted for air tickets to travel home for Eid celebrations.
Considering the Eid festival, two airlines authorities have launched additional flights on domestic routes.
Airfares for all domestic destinations have spiked ahead of the Eid, passengers have alleged.
But, the airlines have turned down the allegation.
Mesbahul Islam, head of Sales and Marketing of Novoair, has told the FE that at least 80 per cent of their airline's tickets for domestic flights from April 5 to the Eid day have been sold.
"Novoair hasn't hiked its ticket fares officially," he says.
The demand for tickets of flights on Jashore, Rajshahi and Syedpur routes is high, whereas some tickets of flights on Sylhet, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram routes are still unsold, he adds.
Biman officials have also echoed the same as Mr Mesbahul.
Tahera Khondoker, general manager (Public Relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, has said at least 80 per cent of all domestic flight tickets of the national flag-carrier have already been sold.
In the wake of the increasing demand for tickets, Biman has expanded its domestic flights on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
It will operate nine additional 18 round trip) flights on different domestic routes.
Additional flights will begin on April 4 and will continue until April 10 on Syedpur, Jashore and Barishal routes.
Apart from this, Sylhet-and Chattogram-bound passengers will get opportunities to travel with big aircraft during this period.
Officials of the Air Astra, a private airline of the country, say at least 70 per cent of their airline tickets have been sold out.
The airline has added two flights on Dhaka-Syedpur route from April 1 for holidaymakers.
Passengers have alleged that airfares have increased ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Md Shafiqul Islam, a Dhaka-based businessman who went to Sylhet by a private airline on Monday, said he purchased his air ticket at Tk 5,000 for economy class, whereas its normal-time price is Tk 3,200 to 3,500.
The prices of tickets for flights on Syedpur and Rajshahi routes are comparatively high amid their growing demand.
The normal prices of tickets for flights on these routes are average Tk 6,500 for economy class.
However, sources say airfares on these routes will increase gradually as the Eid festival is coming closer.
Officials of the airlines say as the Eid festival is approaching, the low-priced tickets has finished. Now passengers are forced to buy high-priced tickets. That's why the price seems to have gone up.
bikashju@gmail.com