Airfares for Umrah travel have surged sharply with the onset of Ramazan, as domestic and international airlines increased ticket prices amid a spike in demand, pushing business class fares to Rs500,000 and economy tickets to as high as Rs200,000.

Following the announcement by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee that the Ramazan 1447 AH crescent had been sighted and the first fast would be observed on Thursday, bookings for Umrah gained momentum.

As is customary during the holy month, the number of pilgrims rose in the first ashra (10 days) and is expected to increase further during the second and third ashra. And the airlines responded by revising fares upward.

According to travel agents, economy and economy-plus tickets, previously priced between Rs130,000 and Rs140,000, have climbed to between Rs180,000 and Rs200,000. Business class fares, which earlier ranged from around Rs425,000 to Rs450,000, have now reached Rs500,000.

Travel agent Muhammad Ayub attributed the increase to seasonal demand. “Whenever there is a festival or peak season, demand rises and airlines increase their fares accordingly,” Ayub told The Express Tribune.

“At present, most flights are fully booked, and even the few remaining seats are being sold at higher rates,” he said, adding that the rush typically intensifies after the first 10 days of Ramazan, further tightening seat availability and sustaining elevated prices.

Umrah pilgrims say the rising costs are forcing difficult financial decisions. Aamir Imtiaz Bilal said inflation has made even the religious journey increasingly difficult. “With prices this high, one has to think twice even about performing this religious obligation,” he said.

Bilal noted that his family booked tickets two months ago at Rs130,000, but his brother, who made a recent booking, paid Rs180,000 for the same route. “You can judge for yourself how far inflation has gone,” he remarked.