Capitalizing on the emotions of devout Muslims, an unscrupulous syndicate is embezzling crores of taka by increasing Umrah tickets by Tk. 30 to Tk. 40 thousand during the holy month of Ramadan. Some unscrupulous officials of some airlines and 15-20 agencies have formed this syndicate. Passengers are now anxious after booking to go for Umrah for Tk. 1 lakh and Tk. 1 lakh 20 thousand. Umrah pilgrims and agency owners have demanded that the government conduct a campaign against them and break the syndicate and arrange tickets at normal prices. The agency owners' organization, ATAB, has sought the intervention of the chief adviser in this regard.
Talking to the Umrah pilgrims and agencies operating Umrah tours, it was learned that the largest number of religious people from Bangladesh go for Umrah during the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is next March. Taking advantage of this opportunity, some unscrupulous officials of various airlines and 15-20 agencies have syndicated and increased the ticket prices.
This time, there are allegations of an increase of Tk. 30 to Tk. 40 thousand for every return ticket.
When general agency owners go to buy tickets for next March, they are being told that the airline is sold out. Some agencies book almost all the tickets and charge high prices. The agency's organization, ATAB, has demanded that the syndicate be broken up by conducting a campaign against these agencies and airlines to reduce public suffering.
It is known that in November, the price of Saudi Airlines tickets was Tk. 75 thousand per person. In December, the price increased by Tk. 5 thousand to Tk. 80 thousand. Tickets for January are sold for Tk. 85 thousand. Tickets for next February are being sold for Tk. 95 thousand. And tickets for March are difficult to get. Ramadan may start from March 1. Therefore, devout Muslims who want to perform Umrah have only started inquiring. And that is why the price has increased. They are charging from Tk. 1 lakh 10-20 thousand to Tk. 1 lakh 60 thousand. General travel agency owners fear that the price will increase further in the future.
In addition, the flight fares of transit airlines have also increased. The fare for March is Tk. 95 thousand, which was Tk. 60 thousand in November. Workers going to the Middle East are also in trouble. Although they have been getting air tickets for Tk. 35 to Tk. 45 thousand so far, they have to buy tickets for Ramadan for Tk. 65 thousand.
Last Thursday, the price of a return ticket for March on Biman Bangladesh Airlines was Tk. 98 thousand. And the price of a US Bangla Airlines ticket to Jeddah on March 12 was Tk. 76 thousand 786 online and the price of a return ticket on March 20 was Tk. 57 thousand 370. The price of a US Bangla return ticket stands at Tk. 1 lakh 34 thousand 156.
Private Hajj and Umrah agency owners said that the airlines have taken us hostage. Those who are going to perform Umrah during Ramadan have not yet arrived. But they have already increased the prices in anticipation of the possibility that demand may increase. And taking this opportunity, some rich agencies are syndicating and buying tickets from airlines in advance using fake names and addresses and depositing them at higher prices. Due to this, ordinary travel agency owners are not getting tickets directly from airlines for general Umrah. As a result, they have to buy tickets from syndicates at higher prices. These syndicates are earning Tk.15 to Tk. 20 thousand per ticket. And ordinary travel and Umrah agency owners are in trouble due to the greed of airlines and syndicates.
They fear that the cost of Umrah in Saudi Arabia increases during Ramadan. On top of that, the total cost will increase a lot this time due to the doubling of flight fares. This time, the cost of Umrah may start from Tk. 220 thousand to Tk. 500 thousand.
Abdus Salam Aref, President of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh-ATAB, said that everyone thinks that the current government will look after the interests of the people. But despite repeated demands in the last 5 months, no action has been taken against the ticket syndicate. He has sought the intervention of the chief adviser to take action in this regard.
He said that they have increased the prices in advance in anticipation of the increase in demand. And the syndicate is buying tickets from them in advance. As a result, when ordinary travel agencies and customers go to buy tickets, they are showing sold-out. As a result, they have to buy tickets from the syndicate at a higher price.
Stating that the syndicate currently has 5 to 20 thousand tickets in its possession, he said that they do not have any passports or visas, yet they are artificially buying tickets in advance using fake names and addresses. Later, they are selling them at a higher price. This ATAB leader also feels that it is necessary to find out the source of their so much money.
In this regard, the owner of a travel agency told Barta24.com that there is anxiety among Umrah passengers due to the abnormal increase in ticket prices. Along with this, the agencies are also in trouble. Now the government should take action in this regard. He also believes that this problem will be solved if Biman increases a few flights during Ramadan. He also complained that even though the tickets are shown on the Biman system, the tickets are not available when booking. Regarding this complaint, Biman Director (Marketing) Ashraful Alam said that there is no chance of such incidents happening in Biman's online system. Biman General Manager (Sales) Mohammad Shamsul Karim said that the price is written on each ticket. If you charge more than the specified price, it will be understood. And if the tickets are less than the demand, the price usually increases. Regarding increasing Biman flights during Ramadan, he said, "Even if there is commercial demand, sometimes it is better to increase the flight." There is no connection. In that case, there is no opportunity for operation due to various reasons including manpower. However, he also believes that if flights are increased in the public interest, ticket prices can be reduced.