Medan-Singapore flights fully booked

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Tickets for flights from here to Singapore for Nov. 19 to Nov. 24 have been fully booked for weeks, according to travel agents.

Several travel agencies in Medan said on Thursday that tickets for Silk Air and Garuda flights from Medan to Singapore from Nov. 19 to Nov. 26 were sold out.

The increase in demand for tickets is apparently connected to the Idul Fitri holiday, which falls on Nov. 25 to Nov. 26.

Due to high demand, airlines have been raising their airfares. Silk Air, for example, has increased the fare for Medan-Singapore return tickets for Nov. 19 to Nov. 26 from US$145 to $205 per person.

Garuda Indonesia has also increased its fares for Medan- Singapore flights from $99 to $130.

Travel agents reported the situation was similar for the Medan-Penang route.

Tickets for flights from Medan to Penang in Malaysia for flights between Nov. 20 to Nov. 27 are fully booked.

Ticket prices also have reportedly been increased by 50 percent to 100 percent. -- Antara