With the end of summer holidays in sight, airfares to Doha shoot up
With schools reopening on September 18, it is almost that time of the year when families who left on vacation comes back en masse to the country.
And as is the case every year, September airfares to Doha, from various destinations around the world, have shot up through the roof.
The Peninsula, citing industry sources, said that flights from Colombo, Cairo, London and the Indian cities of Chennai, Mumbai and Kozhikode would cost 75% to 100% more during mid-September compared to off-peak fares.
Average one-way ticket fare from Sri Lankan capital Colombo to Doha would be between QR1,500 and QR3,000, from Cairo between QR1,800 and QR2,240, from Kozhikode (in the southern Indian state of Kerala) between QR2,900 and QR3,300 and from London above QR1,800.
Most flights, including budget airlines from most south Asian destinations, are fully booked between September 14 and 17.
The peak season this year started around June 25 and ends by September 20, with a summer break of about three months. Usually the peak season ends by end of August or the first week of September.
However, the peak season for Nepalese expatriates returning home is from the first week of October to the end of November and for Filipinos, December and January.
Average off-peak ticket fares for a round trip to Colombo are estimated to be around QR1,350, Kozhikode QR1,400, Mumbai QR1,250, Kathmandu QR1,300 and Manila QR2,200.
“During peak season, fares are almost double the average rate. Even if tickets were booked before three months, the fares will not be much less because this is the time the airlines focuses on more revenue,” a travel consultant said.
“There is no increase in peak season fares this year compared to last year. However, the fares are subject to demand and availability of seats,” she added.
Are you surprised? How many posts on QL are dealing with "facts"?
Spider sense: Most people who left for vacation during or at the beginning of school vacation MUST have purchased a return ticket to Doha. From my experience over several years, fares shoot up during this period. Every business entity wants to make money when the sun shines.
Just last Thursday, I went to book a seat for a return ticket to Doha during 1st week of September and got a good offer which was the same as that of the pre-rush season.
I guess your post has been mistimed, and is possibly away from the facts on the ground.
Book in advance to save money.
If you know the market, you can be a winner ............ it's same every year .....................
Why wait until the last Minute. I got a return ticket on Business class DOH-BKK, BKK-CMB, CMB-DOH leaving 10 Sep and arriving 17 Sep for QAR 3700
This is not good news for the ordinary traveller
Its all a farce.. Airlines , including QA know that the passenger has no choice, so they hike up the fares..