Rich and affluent Indians are reportedly fleeing India to escape the COVID-19 pandemic, and the demand for private jets and fares has increased drastically.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) decided to suspend flights from India and people had time till Sunday to travel back to UAE.
Online price for one way fare has increased almost ten times. Flights from Mumbai to Dubai would cost as much as 80,000 Indian Rupees ($1,400).
Tickets for the New Delhi to Dubai route were going for more than 50,000 rupees, five times more than the average rate. Moreover, no tickets were on offer from Sunday when the 10-day flight suspension comes into force.
For private jets, the fare is ridiculously high. The spokesperson for a charter company total that
“We have requested more aircraft from abroad to meet the demand. It costs $38,000 to $50,000 to hire a 13-seater jet from Mumbai to Dubai, and US$31,000 to hire a six-seater aircraft.”
“People are making groups and arranging to share our jets to get a seat. We’ve had some queries for Thailand but the demand is for Dubai,” he maintained.
According to the latest figures, UAE is home to around 3.3 million Indians which accounts to a third of Dubai’s total population.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has ordered that those who are coming from India must stay in 14 days quarantine.
