Sydney-based Maryam Imrana says she is devastated that she could not join her family for Eid this year.
“We did not go last year as my brother-in-law was getting married here in Sydney. I was really looking forward to spending Eid with my parents this year, but affording these tickets at their current price is impossible.”
Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority recently issued a directive saying Pakistan's airspace would remain closed for all overflying (transit) flights until 14th June 2019.
The disruption has led to airlines resorting to detours to the north and south, adding flight time for passengers and fuel costs for airlines.
Ms Imrana told SBS Urdu that each ticket was costing her 1.5 times the original price that they usually paid for this time of the year. She said her husband and two children will now celebrate Eid with her family via Skype.
Flight disruption to Pakistan continues
Thai Airways appears to be the most badly affected airline. Saira Qureshi, who runs a travel agency in Sydney, says the airline has been the most popular choice among Pakistani diaspora living in Australia, especially those travelling with children. Currently, she says, the minimum cost for a flight with multiple stopovers is $2,000 per adult.
“The only Thai Airways flights to Pakistan from Australia at this time are those flying to Karachi and are in a very limited number,” she said.
A recent map of live air traffic in the area by monitoring group Flight Radar showed disrupted air traffic in the region and almost no Thai Airways flights to Pakistan from Australia or in a strip of land across the border on the Indian side. In a normal situation, about 220 flights usually pass through Pakistani airspace each day between Europe and Southeast Asia.
A live grab from Flight Radar 24. Source: flightradar24/Author
It’s a [very] pricey conflict
Sajid Khurram is another Pakistani-Australian who shares the plight of flights disruptions and cancellations alongside Imrana. However, unlike her, he moved ahead with tapping a huge chunk of his savings to go back home and celebrate Eid with his aging parents.
The only Thai Airways flights to Pakistan from Australia at this time are those flying to Karachi and are in a very limited number: Sydney travel agent, Saira Qureshi
For Khurram, this was an “investment in his emotional savings account”, for he had not visited home in the last two years since he first moved to Brisbane. Khurram paid $2,953 for an Etihad Airways flight from Brisbane to Lahore – a route that is almost sold out.
Qureshi says last year she had sold tickets for the same route during the same time of the year for as low as $1,050. According to her, there are multiple factors that have contributed to the price hike.
Sajid Khurram paid $2953 for an Etihad Airways flight from Brisbane to Lahore. He calls this an “investment in his emotional savings account” for he has not visited home in the last two years.
“The Pakistani and Indian airspace and airport closures have definitely triggered this situation, but the saturation in demand for Eid and advance bookings for Moharram/Ashura is also a major factor contributing to this,” she told SBS Urdu.
India and Pakistan's ties have been under intense strain since a 14 February suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 40 troops. The attack set off an escalating chain of aerial attacks, that culminated in an Indian pilot being held captive as a prisoner of war by Pakistan for two days.
