Pakistan airfares rise 10-20% ahead of Eid as airlines add Gulf flights

Airfares for both domestic and international travel from Pakistan have risen sharply ahead of Eid al-Fitr due to higher jet fuel prices, 24NewsHD TV reported on Friday.

According to airline officials and travel industry sources, ticket prices have increased by 10% to 20% in the run-up to the holiday season following a rise in jet fuel costs.

The fare increase has weighed on domestic air travel demand, with passenger numbers on local routes dropping by around 40% as many travellers turn to cheaper alternatives.

By contrast, inbound international travel, particularly from the Middle East, has picked up ahead of Eid, prompting Pakistani airlines to increase flights from Gulf destinations.

Airlines have expanded operations on Middle East routes mainly to facilitate the return of Pakistanis working or stranded in Gulf countries who are travelling home to celebrate Eid with their families.

Private carriers alone have added more than a dozen extra flights to Middle Eastern destinations during the Eid period, reflecting strong demand from overseas Pakistanis, especially those in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

Travel industry officials said the rise in inbound traffic also coincides with an increase in the number of Pakistanis currently in Saudi Arabia for Umrah, as well as expatriates living across the Gulf region.