Airline fares in Pakistan recorded a sudden surge with travel agencies attributing the increase to tourist travel to the northern areas through Islamabad and Lahore.

One-way fare for Islamabad-Karachi and Lahore-Karachi has been increased up to Rs68,000 for almost all airlines including the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines.

Screenshots of booking apps shared by travel agents with Aaj News show AirSial’s one-way ticket was priced at over Rs68,000 while FlyJinnah which is a budget airline is selling its Islamabad-Karachi ticket at Rs64,945.

However, a Karachi-based travel agent told Aaj News that the fares have been increased by around Rs17,000 to hit a minimum of Rs35,000 for Karachi-Islamabad and Karachi-Lahore one-way flights.

He attributed the surge to the increasing demand by the tourists who are visiting the northern areas through the capital city and Lahore.

They are now returning to Karachi and the fare prices have gone up on the back of increased demand.

A one-way journey from Karachi to Islamabad still costs a modest fare of around Rs17,000.

He expected the fares to ease on the back of a slowdown in the tourists’ visits after the first week of August.

The increase in the fares of private airlines, including the national airline has left passengers in trouble.