PIA, Serene Air and Air Blue’s domestic flights are now more costly.

The airlines have all increased their one-way fares by Rs 10,000 to Rs15,000, citing a higher demand and not enough flights.

Travel Agents Association Chairman Nadeem Sharif said the airlines cite higher demand and increase prices. They have been doing this for almost two years, ever since Shaheen Air closed down, he said.

Shaheen Air used to operate three flights from Karachi to Lahore and three flights from Lahore to Karachi every day. It also operated three return flights from Karachi to Islamabad. Once it closed down, there was a sudden drop in the number of flights.

The airlines use this as an excuse to increase prices, especially during winter, said Sharif.

A one-way flight from Karachi to Lahore now costs Rs 35,000. Which means a return ticket could cost up to Rs70,000.

Not only the Karachi route but tickets from Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Islamabad, Rahim Yar Khan and Faislabad all cost between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 more one-way.

These fares are anticipated to decrease once the winter season ends and demand reduces. A couple years ago, a one-way ticket on the Lahore to Karachi route costed Rs10,000 to Rs11,000.

Sharif claimed the Competition Commission of Pakistan had taken notice of these fares but to no avail.

The higher fares have impacted travel agents’ business, with fewer people willing or even able to travel by air. Train tickets aren’t as easily available. Ever since an online system was introduced, more people have been travelling by trains.

You now have to book your seat 15 days in advance.