Flights run full ahead of Eid

Manama

Airlines experienced heavy rush yesterday as more people have started holidaying ahead of Eid holidays. Flight tickets rates have also skyrocketed due to increased demand.

Many airlines connecting Bahrain to exotic tourist places have been fully booked, said sources.

 Charles Le Joy, Sales Executive of Oman Air in Bahrain, said they faced heavy traffic yesterday. “Most of our flights departing from Bahrain are fully occupied, keeping the airline staff busy,” he said.

 He said the passengers included both Arabs and expatriates. “Usually, the busy season starts at the end of June and would continue till July. But this time, it has started ahead of Eid,” he said.

 He said Bangkok, Munich and Milano continue to be the favourite tourist destinations for Bahrainis. He added the six-month-long expo, being held at the Italian city of Milano, has attracted a many passengers from Bahrain this year.

 He said Salalah, the second largest city of Oman, has also attracted tourists in big numbers, ahead of Eid. “Currently Khareef (monsoon) festival is going on in Salalah, located close to the western side of India. The place has attracted a huge number of people this time. Tourists spend three to four days there and enjoy the monsoon season,” he said.

 He said Oman Air operated four to five flights a day, between Bahrain and Salalah, via Muscat everyday. During the last few days, all flights in this route were fully occupied, he said.

 Sources of Air India, the official carrier of India, also confirmed the heavy rush for flight tickets ahead of Eid. “Air India flights to all destinations have been fully booked for today (Thursday) and tomorrow (Friday),” said the source.

 “Earlier, the heavy rush used to begin immediately after the summer school vacation begins. But this time, there has been a change in the trend,” said the Air India source.

 Passengers are, on the other hand, worried about the spiraling ticket prices.