International travel has suddenly become the most expensive now, and the fares to the USA are especially shocking.
The surge is largely attributed to the war atmosphere in the Gulf region following Iran’s attacks on US military bases across eight countries and the retaliatory strikes by the USA and Israel on Iran, in which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed.
Airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been closed, disrupting a large number of travellers. Several flights have been cancelled, and passengers are making repeated attempts to access airline websites to cancel their tickets, often without success.
In many cases, there is no proper way to reach a concerned official for assistance.
Meanwhile, ticket prices on alternative airlines and routes have doubled and even quadrupled. A British Airways flight from Hyderabad to San Francisco is now around Rs 7 lakh one way for business class if booked for travel in the next three to four days.
On Singapore Airlines, economy class fares have touched nearly Rs 3 lakh, while business class tickets are being quoted at around Rs 9 lakh.
In this volatile situation, air travel has turned uncertain and unaffordable for many, leaving passengers stranded between cancellations and soaring fares.
With major Gulf hubs shut and limited alternative routes available, the crisis has exposed how quickly global conflicts can disrupt civilian mobility and strain airline networks.
Until normal operations resume and tensions ease, travellers will have to brace for continued high prices, longer routes and widespread inconvenience.
