Air ticket prices of all airlines operating flights from Dhaka to Malaysia have seen a fourfold increase with the latter鈥檚 labour market set to be closed for Bangladesh on May 31.
Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh president Abdus Salam Aref said that the regular monthly demand for Dhaka to Malaysia air ticket is between 15,000 and 18,000, but the imminent labour market closure deadline has caused a sudden surge in the demand taking it to 60,000.
鈥榃hen the demand for tickets increases, the airlines increase fare prices. It happens to tickets of all destinations. Same thing has happened in the case of Malaysia,鈥� he said.
Recruiting agents complained that airlines are demanding an exorbitant Tk 1,20,000 for a ticket, which sells at regular prices of Tk 30,000鈥�35,000.
But the ticket price of the return route from Malaysia to Dhaka remains below Tk 30,000.
Recruiting agency Zahrat Associate鈥檚 proprietor Md Shafiqul Alam Firoz said that more than 20,000 aspiring migrants face uncertainty over travelling to Malaysia for the air ticket crisis.
He said that the sudden hike in air fare much increased the overall migration expenses.
To address the last-minute rush, national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is operating four special flights to ferry workers.
However, recruiting agents complained that problem persisted as the corrupt officials of Biman were taking bribe.
Biman officials said that they were charging Tk 68,000 in which the additional price was charged to compensate the loss to be incurred by the flight鈥檚 return trip during when it was likely to be empty.
Biman marketing and sales director (acting) Mohammad Salauddin said that all the tickets are available in website and all seats of the flights鈥攔egular and additional were booked.
He said that if they were informed who took bribes it would be easier for them to take action.
