Airfares to UK, US get cheaper by 30% amid coronavirus outbreak

Airfares to Europe and the US have dropped 20-30 per cent as companies cut travel and people hold off booking leisure trips, say experts.

Travel restrictions are in place only for a limited number of countries but people are cancelling or postponing travel to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “A Mumbai-New York return economy class ticket in May is now available for around Rs 65,000. Normally this would cost upwards of Rs 80,000. Similarly, non-stop return tickets to London during the same period are being sold for Rs 50,000 which is around 17 per cent cheaper than usual,” said Rakshit Desai, managing director of FCM Travel Solutions.

An executive from a European airline said loads have declined 30 per cent in the last few days. “Right now on our outbound flights, passengers mostly comprise Europeans or US nationals returning home from their India trip or Indians visiting the US on long visits or work visas. Those travelling for short business trips are cancelling.