Chennai: Air fees from Chennai to Singapore and Malaysia several times higher than the pre-covid level at the time of the travel sector back to normal.
Both countries combed recent norms so that people who have permanent residence permits, workers and other people can start traveling.
One-way rates on direct flights are Rs 25,000 to RS 27,000 to Singapore while Rs 26,000 to Kuala Lumpur to travel in November.
The tariff is higher to travel through Colombo or Dubai but many are not traveling through transit hubs due to changing restrictions.
The tariff is high because the government has not allowed more flights about routes and continues to run flights ‘air bubbles’ operated by Air India Express or Air India.
Airport sources say that foreign operators, which used to have one or two flights per day from Chennai in Precovid-19 days, it is impossible to continue the flight until the end of December unless the government fully allows scheduled services.
Less flights and high rates have disturbed those who fly on business, work and on a permanent residency visa and those who have a second home.
Travel operators and tours hope that Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will soon allow recreational tourists.
Singapore has allowed transit passengers but people cannot use it because there is only one flight from Chennai.
S Baskar from the Indian Federation Travel Agency (TAFI) said the rate would only reduce if commercial flights continued the operation.
Some travel agents expect Southeast Asian countries to allow recreational travelers next month.
Basheer Ahmed from Chennai Metro Travels said, “There are only limited seats but people who are citizens, those who have permission and those who need to return to buy tickets.
It used to be around five to six flights per day to Singapore and three flights to Kuala Lumpur in pre-covid-19 days.
Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are the most popular recreational destinations.
There is hope that recreational travelers will be permitted in mid-November.
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Airfare to Singapore, Malaysia remains expensive
