DHAKA: As homebound people are suffering a lot in collecting bus, launch and train tickets amid Eid rush, the affluent ones started flocking in different airlines’ offices in the city to avail a hassle-free trip home.  

The state-owned Biman Bangladesh Airlines and some private airliners will operate usual flights on Jessore, Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet routes.

Officials concerned informed that the sale of air tickets usually increases a lot during Eid season than on other occasions.

Firoza Begum, a high official of Biman, said the demand for air tickets on the domestic route increased ahead of Eid. “But we have no advance reservation system,” she said.

Biman operates flights on Dhaka-Chittagong, Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar routes. The fares for Dhaka-Chittagong one-way ticket have been fixed at Tk 4,500, Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar at Tk 4,500 and Dhaka-Sylhet at Tk 5,300. The price of return tickets will be double, said Firoza Begum.

United Airways is operating eight flights to Chittagong, Jessore, Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar from the capital for providing special service to the local travelers on the occasion of Eid, said Quamrul Islam, Public Relations Officer of the United.

The private airline has fixed one-way air fare for Dhaka-Cittagong travel at Tk 5,900 while Dhaka-Jessore at Tk 5,150, Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar at Tk 7,400 and Dhaka-Sylhet at Tk 5,300.

It will operate four flights on the Dhaka-Chittagong route, two on the Dhaka-Jessore and one each on Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar and Dhaka-Sylhet route daily.  

Assistant Commercial Manager of GMG Airlines Syed Yasif Akbar said GMG Airlines is operating only one flight on the Dhaka-Chittagong route on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.  

“Five more planes will join our fleet before Eid-ul-Azha for ensuring quality services to the domestic passengers. Two aircraft—nicknamed Dash-8 and MD-80—will be introduced by September 14 while three within November,” said Yasif Akbar.

GMG’s Dhaka-Chittagong one-way ticket costs Tk 4,000, he informed.

BDST: 1845 HRS, SEPT 3, 2010.