Airlines are cashing in on the Eid rush as increasing number of holdiaymakers are opting take flights to avoid heavy traffic on the highways.
A complete sell-out of flights during the vacations had been reported in mid-May, when airlines announced to operate additional flights, which are also nearly sold out.
Ticket prices have shot up as more people are keen on air travel to avoid long tailback on highways.
On spot visits, many were seen leaving the airlines counters disappointed inside domestic terminal of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
“I came to buy the tickets to travel fast and avoid sufferings during long journey by bus with children,” said Asaduzzaman, a resident of Mirpur in Dhaka.
Asaduzzaman did not get any tickets on his travel date as all of them were sold out early.
As demand surged, airlines charged more fare and added more fights in domestic routes, aviation sources said.
Sources at airlines said, economy class passengers are charged between Tk 7,500 and Tk 12,000 on Dhaka-Saidpur route, between Tk 6,000 and Tk 8,000 on Dhaka-Jashore route, between Tk 6,500 and Tk 8,500 on Dhaka-Barisal route.
Ticket fares on Dhaka-Chattogram route (from Tk 7,500 to Tk 12,000), Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar (from Tk 5,000 to Tk 12,000) and Dhaka-Sylhet route (from Tk 7,500 to Tk 12,000) are relatively low due to higher number of passengers.
Bangladesh Airlines Spokesperson Shakil Meraj said, “Biman will operate additional flights with its regular ones.”
Demand of tickets for 4 days ahead and after Eid is more. Many book advanced through online booking opportunity. Demand of tickets from Jun 12 to Jun 22 is more,” said Meraj, who is a General Manager (public relations) at Biman.
US-Bangla General Manager (Marketing Support and PR) Kamrul Islam said “Fixing fare in airlines is a bit different. Price of plane tickets vary on the basis of classes. Each seat has both a minimum and a high-scale price.
“At the beginning, ticket have been sold at regular price, which jumped to the high rate due rise in demand surge at the last moment,” Islam said
At present, four domestic alliances - national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines and three private airlines Novoair, US-Bangla Airlines, and Regent Airways, are operating flights on seven routes across the country.
Of them, Biman and US-Bangla run flights on all seven routes, followed by Novoair on six routes with Regent operating in four routes.
Demands of tickets on Saidpur, Jashore and Rajshahi routes increase in Eid holiday.
Novoair will run tow additional flights from Jun 12 to Jun 15 while US-Bangla will operate more 35 flights on Dhaka, Jashore, Siadpur and Barisal routes to maintain its schedule.