Basant rush fuels air fare surge

Travel from Karachi to Lahore has become sharply more expensive and increasingly difficult as Basant festivities draw closer, with both air and rail fares surging amid a rush of passengers heading to the provincial capital. With Basant approaching, airline ticket prices from Karachi to Lahore have "gone through the roof", forcing many travellers to reconsider their plans.

According to sources, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and several private carriers have sharply increased fares on Lahore-bound flights, capitalising on rising demand and limited seat availability.

The situation has worsened to the point that one-way tickets from Karachi to Lahore have crossed Rs68,000. As passenger pressure continues to mount, fares are increasing "with every passing hour". The upcoming public holiday on February 5 has further added to the demand, leaving early travellers with no option but to purchase costly tickets.

Citizens say airlines are taking advantage of limited seats and festival demand to impose arbitrary fare hikes, pushing travel beyond the reach of many families.

The railway sector has also failed to provide relief. Trains travelling from Karachi to Lahore are operating under heavy passenger load, with tickets becoming increasingly scarce. Many commuters are finding it impossible to secure seats, adding to their frustration. Sources said that due to the shortage of railway tickets, several passengers are being forced to opt for costly air travel, despite the inflated fares.