Rising international airfares force Mumbaiites to cancel vacations

Until two months ago, Gautam Sur, 32, was certain he would visit his cousin in London this summer. Although his stay and meals would be taken care of, the Mulund-based financial analyst had to drop the idea because the airfare, coupled with visa charges, exceeded his holiday budget.

Until two months ago, Gautam Sur, 32, was certain he would visit his cousin in London this summer. Although his stay and meals would be taken care of, the Mulund-based financial analyst had to drop the idea because the airfare, coupled with visa charges, exceeded his holiday budget.

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Several Mumbaiites planning to visit Europe and the US during summer — among the most popular summer destinations — have dropped their plans as airfares are up by 10 to 15 per cent. Tour operators claim that bookings until now are the worst in a decade even worse than the recession year of 2009. “Vacations will get more expensive as the rupee has depreciated to the extent of 15 per cent with the price of crude oil increasing by more than $100 a barrel. This has a direct impact on air fares and transport, generally,” said Milan Zatakia, national vice president, Air Passengers Association of India.

“Bookings on long haul destinations such as Europe and US are down by more than 30%. Even tours to close by destinations are faring poorly,” said Lalit Seth, managing director, Raj Travels.