MP flays airline for hiking fares to Makkah during Haj

Manama: An Islamist MP has lashed out at a Bahraini airline for offering discounts to destinations in Europe, America and Asia, but hiking fares to would-be pilgrims flying to Makkah.

"Gulf Air is the national company of an Arab and Muslim country. It gives huge discounts to passengers travelling to destinations in Europe, the Americas and Asia. However, at the same time, the fares for the passengers going on pilgrimage are soaring high in the sky," Adel Al Mouawda, representing Al Asala, said yesterday in a press statement.

"How is it possible that a ticket from Bahrain to London, Paris or Copenhagen is much cheaper than a ticket to Jeddah during the pilgrimage season? This is outrageous," said the Salafi leader.

According to Al Mouawda, Gulf Air has been spending "big money" on promotion and publicity stunts and should now dedicate some of the funds to help would-be pilgrims.

"Gulf Air can at least halve the price of tickets to Jeddah by covering the difference as part of its promotion campaigns. This will enable more people to fly on Gulf Air and the company will gain from the publicity it gets," he said. However, a Gulf Air spokesman stressed that the airline's pricing policy was determined by the economic factors affecting the market.

"Our prices are regulated by the International Air Transport Association [IATA] and are based on the competitive environment. We are a commercial business and we look at the economic factors," Adnan Malek told Gulf News.

"Fares depend on the principle of offer and demand. The Haj season is the peak season and it is lucrative for any company. Nonetheless, our prices are highly competitive compared with any airline operating in that sector," he said.