Airfares to the Middle East doubled within one month

Airfares to many Middle Eastern countries have increased since last month. As a result, returning to work has become harder for expatriate Bangladeshi workers.

While air travel costs between Bangladesh and several Middle Eastern countries ranged from Tk 40,000 to Tk 45,000 in November, the price has now become Tk 80,000 to Tk 90,000 within a month.

When it takes an average of Tk 65,000 per ticket for a 23-hour trip to New York, why does a ticket to Riyadh, which is only six hours of flight away, costs Tk 80,000 or more?

Why have ticket prices doubled in such a short time? Is Bangladesh failing to keep airfares under control?

In Straight from Star Newsroom, The Daily Star Senior Reporter Rashidul Hasan joins with Debjani Shyama to discuss the impact of the increased airfares on Middle Eastern routes.