The High Cost of Summer Air Tickets for Arab Communities Residing Abroad: Impact and Solutions

Title: High Airline Ticket Prices Pose Challenges for Arab Communities Abroad

Subtitle: Arab residents face soaring airfare costs during summer travel

Date: June 21, 2023

Arab communities residing abroad are grappling with exorbitant air ticket prices, particularly during the summer season. This issue is especially prevalent in European countries, the United States, and Canada, where the cost of air travel is significantly higher compared to other seasons. The soaring prices have left many Arab residents unable to afford tickets for themselves and their families, hindering their ability to spend holidays or visit their home countries.

Mounir Alawi, a Canadian resident of Montreal, expressed his frustration, stating, “Because of this high price, I can no longer afford to buy tickets for my family of four to spend the summer holidays or holidays with the family in Morocco.” Alawi added that the cost of tickets, which can exceed $6,000, coupled with other vacation expenses, has forced him to choose alternative destinations for multiple years in a row.

Similarly, Sana and Salti, a Tunisian residing in Lyon, France, shared her concerns about the inability to establish a connection between her three young children and their mother country due to the high cost of travel tickets. She emphasized that ticket prices do not consider the economic conditions faced by communities worldwide. Despite her efforts to save throughout the year, she found it impossible to bear the burden of ticket prices during the peak travel month of August.

The issue of escalating ticket prices is not limited to specific regions. According to survey data from the “Liligo.com” website, prices have also increased in France. For example, the rate of increase in airline tickets from France to Lebanon during the period from July to August rose by 42 percent compared to the same period in 2021. Egypt experienced a 32 percent increase, while Tunisia saw a 20 percent rise. Morocco and Algeria, on the other hand, witnessed more modest increases of 4 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

Muhammad Al-Ludi, the owner of a travel agency in Lyon, highlighted that these price hikes have led to a surge in demand for his agency’s services. Many community members from various nationalities have opted for installment or deferred payment options to alleviate the financial burden. This approach ensures that families are not deprived of the opportunity to visit their home countries, especially for those who cannot undertake long-distance travel by land or sea.

The delegate general of the Federation of French Airports, Nicholas Boulissin, explained that various factors contribute to the rising ticket prices. These factors include the increased demand surpassing the limited supply due to airlines’ failure to fully restore their operations after the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the lack of competition between companies, rising worker salaries due to the high cost of living, high service prices, and the surge in energy costs, particularly kerosene, following the Russian-Ukrainian war, have all contributed to the escalating prices. Kerosene alone represents 45 percent of the long-distance ticket price.

Boulissin emphasized that travelers who choose air travel must understand that ticket prices will continue to rise in the future. The energy transition cost standard is expected to be added to ticket prices, further increasing the overall expense.

In conclusion, the high cost of airline tickets during the summer season poses significant challenges for Arab communities residing abroad. The soaring prices have made it increasingly difficult for individuals and families to afford travel expenses, limiting their ability to spend holidays or visit their home countries. The factors contributing to these price increases include the imbalance between demand and supply, lack of competition, rising worker salaries, high service prices, and increased energy costs. As a result, many community members are turning to installment or deferred payment options to mitigate the financial burden and ensure they can continue to visit their home countries.

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Are approaching his agency seeking alternative solutions, such as group bookings or searching for cheaper tickets through different airlines and routes. Al-Ludi emphasized that while the agency does its best to assist customers and find the most affordable options, the limited availability and high demand during peak travel seasons can make it challenging to secure cost-effective tickets.

The soaring ticket prices have raised concerns among many Arab communities abroad, who view it as a barrier to maintaining their cultural connections and visiting their home countries. These communities have been separated from their families and friends due to the COVID-19 pandemic for an extended period. Now, with travel restrictions easing and vaccination rates increasing, the high cost of airline tickets adds another layer of difficulty to their plans.

Local community organizations and leaders are advocating for intervention and support from government authorities and airline companies. They argue that these exorbitant prices disproportionately affect Arab communities and hinder their ability to travel and engage with their cultural heritage. Calls for affordable airfare options and subsidies during peak travel seasons have gained momentum, highlighting the urgency to address this issue.

The challenges faced by Arab communities abroad in accessing affordable air travel underscore the importance of finding sustainable solutions that consider the economic realities of these communities. By addressing this issue, authorities and airline companies can contribute to fostering stronger connections between Arab residents and their home countries, facilitating cultural exchange, and creating opportunities for families to reunite. Ultimately, affordable airfare options can help alleviate the financial burden and enable Arab communities to maintain their ties and strengthen their sense of belonging, despite the challenges posed by high ticket prices.