Expatriates feel the pinch as peak season airfare goes up by 40 per cent

KOCHI: The airfare for international routes, especially the Gulf and the European sector, has seen a significant rise in the past few weeks. According to tour operators, fares have increased by at least 30-40% in recent days due to high travel demand by people coming to Kerala for Eid, and the spike in the aviation turbine fuel price.

The airfare for outbound travel to the Gulf region has also gone up, as per the information available on various travel websites and tour operators in the state. The airfare ranges between Rs 12,000 and Rs 55,000 from the state to the UAE destinations during the peak season. Before it, these ranged from Rs 8,000 to Rs 25,000. With school holidays in Gulf countries in July-August, the airfares are likely to remain high for another couple of months.