Fares on routes between Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, as well as other stations, have seen significant increases
Pakistan International Airlines airliner. Photo file: Reuters
KARACHI:
Airlines in Pakistan have increased fares further due to rising jet fuel prices and higher operating costs associated with the prevailing US-Israeli war against Iran.
Several airlines have raised fares by passing on increased fuel costs through additional security charges, with fuel costs reportedly doubling.
Fares on routes between Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, as well as other stations, have seen significant increases. One-way fares from Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore have reached up to Rs 40,000.
Lack of jet fuel and limited oil reserves have also been cited as the main reasons for the increase in ticket prices.
Prices for “random seats” on routes to Lahore and Islamabad have increased by up to 150 per cent. Airlines now charge more than Rs 50,000 for one-way “chance seat” tickets on domestic routes including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
International fares have also increased, with economy class fares to the Middle East, Toronto, Paris and Manchester ranging between Rs 300,000 and Rs 700,000.
Read: Government increases Rs200 tax on high-octane fuel for luxury cars to ease crisis
Earlier on Sunday, the government approved a significant increase of Rs 200 per liter in the tax on high-octane fuel used in luxury cars, in a move to deal with the fuel crisis amid Middle East tensions.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairing a video link meeting, announced that the current tax of Rs 100 per liter on high-octane fuel would be increased by another Rs 200, taking the total tax to Rs 300 per litre.
Push the new price of High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) in the country to Rs535. The decision to raise the levy from Rs100 to Rs300 per liter was taken at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister.
