Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The decision of some West Asian cities, including Dubai, to start returning to business as usual amid an unrelenting war is forcing a significant number of Indians to spend lakhs to get back. These people had somehow managed to come to India after Feb 28 or were here before that and now are being asked to return to work. Travel agents said a one-way economy class Emirates ticket on Delhi-Dubai is costing “a minimum of Rs 50,000” with the average fare being in the Rs 85,000-90,000 range till April 5. After that, fares start showing a gradual decline. The few flights by Indian carriers start at Rs 40,000.“The UAE has restricted the number of flights by foreign operators. Most people are opting for Emirates flights to get to Dubai on which the fares are very high till April 5. Dubai has controlled inventory and being asked to return means shelling out this amount or facing the consequences. Emirates’ low cost arm FlyDubai is a shade cheaper with fares starting at Rs 35,000-40,000,” said a travel agent. The cheaper option is taking IndiGo to Abu Dhabi and then driving to Dubai. That option costs about Rs 30,000 in airfare.Many Indians in West Asia chose to send their family members back home after Feb 28. “I told my employer I need to go to Saudi with my wife and child and then take a flight from there to India. I was told if my services were required I will be called any time and not reporting to work will mean losing job. The transit Saudi visa for us did not come in time… I sent my family via Qatar Airways and stayed back,” said an Indian working in Qatar.
