Tour Agencies Blast Price Hikes On Egyptair Flights To Saudi Arabia

Egyptian tourist agencies have slammed an abrupt price hike for EgyptAir flights to Saudi Arabia for pilgrims wishing to perform the Umrah pilgrimage during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

A round-trip ticket from Egypt to Saudi and back again now reportedly costs some LE5000 (roughly $835).

Nasser Tork, head of the religious tourism committee at the Egyptian Chamber of Tourism, called the price hikes – which are reportedly as high as 60 per cent – “pointless.” He said the move would negatively impact tourism agencies, whose clients would likely be driven away by the sudden price increases.

Egypt’s national air carrier, he said, currently “dominated” all flights to Saudi Arabia.

The Egyptian Ministry of Aviation does not permit private air carriers to transport Egyptians to the oil-rich kingdom, even though they offer flights at half the cost of EgyptAir flights, according to the chamber of tourism.

Ahram