Nearly all domestic flight tickets of most private airlines and Biman Bangladesh airlines have been sold out ahead of Eid ul-Fitr.
Airlines sources said most of the tickets for domestic flights to Jessore, Syedpur and Rajshahi on August 15, 16 and 17 have been sold.
Even passengers have already bought return tickets for August 21, 22 and 23.
A large number of home-bound people have opted for air tickets to journey home for Eid celebration. Considering it, airlines authorities mull over adding extra flights on domestic routes.
Air fares for all domestic destinations have spiked from 50% to 70% ahead Ramadan, according to passengers. But the airlines authorities have turned down the allegation.
Kamrul Islam, deputy general manager (DGM) of United Airways, told the Dhaka Tribune all of their airline’s tickets for domestic flights to Syedpur, Rajshahi and Jessore have been purchased. A few tickets for Chittagong, Sylhet and Barisal routes are available now.
Biman officials also echoed the same as Kamrul.
“No ticket is available for Dhaka-Syedpur route on 16 August, but I need a ticket on emergency,” said Rafiqul Islam.
But according to a Syedpur-bound passenger, an employee of an airline told him if he spends extra money, a ticket may be available.
“Pricing seems to be pretty okay, it has not gone to the roof despite huge demand,” a top official of a private airline said, requesting anonymity.
Asking not to be named, an official of Biman told the Dhaka Tribune prior to Eid, tickets for Jessore route went on sale about three months ago. The demand for air tickets is increasing rapidly as passengers want to save time.
Mahfuzul Alam, manager (Marketing and Sales) of Novo Air, said except a few routes, almost all domestic flight tickets have been bought in advance by the passengers.
They have only available tickets for Chittagong and Sylhet routes.
Asked, Mahfuzul Alam said if necessary, they will add extra flight.
US-Bangla Air and Regent Airways tickets are also sold out, according to the officials concerned.
“We didn’t increase the air fare before the Eid ul-Fitr as the Regent authority does not believe in capitalising on the situation,” said Ashish Rai Choudhury, chief operating officer of the airline company.
As the demand for air tickets is on the rise, US-Bangla plans to add extra flight to Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Barisal routes to ease the hassle of home-bound passengers.
