Air fares are set to rise to key destinations mainly in the subcontinent as many residents prepare to fly out during the Eid Al Adha holidays, which begin on August 31.
Travel industry sources said the air fares have more than doubled to certain sectors in view of the huge demand for seats from holidaymakers.
Travellers to certain destinations will have to open their wallets wide this holiday season, inquiries reveal.
For example, a return economy class fare to Thiruvananthapuram in the south Indian state of Kerala will be nearly QR5,300 for outbound travel on August 31 and inbound on September 5. The cheapest business class fare available in the sector is nearly QR8,300.
Until a few weeks ago, it was available for nearly half this price, an industry source said.
To fly direct to Colombo in Sri Lanka and back during the period, economy class passengers will have to pay nearly QR3,000. Passengers opting business class to the Sri Lankan capital need to cough up nearly QR5,500.
Karachi tickets in economy class have been priced in excess of QR3,300 and business class nearly QR6,700 during this time frame.
To fly to India’s financial capital Mumbai, one has to fork out nearly QR3,700 in economy and QR7,800 in business class.
To connect Kuala Lumpur, one needs to pay nearly QR3,900 on economy and QR9,000 on business class.
The return economy class fares to Manila in The Philippines have been quoted at around QR4,400 and business class at QR9,500 during this time frame.
Paris is priced QR7,000 and upwards in economy and nearly QR24,000 in business class.
The Emiri Diwan announced that Eid holiday for ministries and other government entities and public institutions will begin on August 31 and end on September 7. Employees are to resume their work on September 10 after the weekend.
Banks and other financial institutions under the supervision of Qatar Central Bank and Qatar Financial Markets Authority will have four working days as Eid Al Adha holiday from August 31.
These institutions will remain closed on August 31, September 3, 4 and 5. Effectively, banks and other financial institutions will remain closed for six consecutive days including the weekend.
Meanwhile, the travel industry expects more visitors to the country with Qatar recently announcing visa-free entry to nationals from as many as 80 countries.
Citizens of these countries including the US, UK, Canada, EU countries, Russia, China, India, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea and Lebanon will not need to apply or pay for a visa; instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued at the airport, upon presentation of a valid passport (valid for a minimum of six months) and a confirmed onward or return ticket.
