Combating coronavirus: How much does it cost to hire a private jet to UAE

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Combating, coronavirus, How much, cost, hire, private jet, UAE

Dubai - The International Air Transport Association estimates that the airline industry will be poorer by $30 billion in 2020.

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Anjana Sankar

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Published: Fri 3 Jul 2020, 6:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Jul 2020, 9:03 PM

Hiring a private jet is not pocket-friendly. The charter rates vary depending on the type of aircraft and the route. Typically, an hour of flying would set you back by anything from $6,500 and $9,000. On offer in the market are six, 10, 12, 13 and 14 seater jets. A 12-seater jet from Riyadh to Dubai would cost around $24,000, that is $2,000 per person. A Dubai to Moscow 13-seater would cost $58,000 while a 14-seater in the same route will cost $62,000. Residents flying from Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore will have to cough up anything between $3000 to $3,500 for a seat in a private jet.
Why are people willing to hire a private jet
The Covid-19 outbreak brought the commercial airline industry to its knees with countries across the world closing their airspace or imposing severe restrictions on inbound and outbound air travel. The International Air Transport Association estimates that the airline industry will be poorer by $30 billion in 2020.
The UAE suspended all air traffic effective on March 23 to contain the spread of Covid-19, which in effect left many expats with valid residence permits unable to fly back into the country. Likewise, hundreds and thousands of expats reeling under the impact of coronavirus also were unable to fly because there were no flights available.
Though UAE national airlines like Etihad and Emirates have resumed operations to select destinations, the drastic cut in flight routes, especially to countries in the GCC region and sub-continent, has left many passengers with no option but to rely on government-operated repatriation flights. As per the Indian missions, more than 1,25,000 Indian citizens flew to India in the Vande Bharat Mission flights operated by Air India Express.
Hiring a private jet is the only option in front of many UAE residents to return to the country. And many people who spoke to Khaleej Times said they are willing to pay through their nose as their businesses and jobs are at stake.
Shariq Khan, a Dubai businessman stuck in India since March, said he is in talks with some people who are organising a private jet to Dubai. "I need two seats as I also want to fly with my mother. That is a lot of money."
M.A, a Dubai resident, who does not want to reveal his name, said he has paid Dh12,500 to secure a seat on board a private jet from Mumbai to Dubai. "I cannot take this anymore. I decided it is better to dig a little deeper into my pocket than stay here indefinitely."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com 


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