Airfare hike riles Darfuris

A decision by private airlines Tarco, Marsland Aviation, Sun Air, and Badr Airlines to raise fares on flights to Darfur by 20 per cent has prompted angry reactions in the region. Speaking to Radio Dabanga Ibrahim Abkar Idris, who heads the Darfur parliamentary group, said that “the intention is to call these companies to account for the reasons for this increase”. Idris pointed out that the prices of flights between Khartoum and Darfur are now more expensive than foreign trips. “This presents a real dilemma for citizens of Darfur, as the current situation makes flying the only safe way to reach Khartoum” he said. He described the increase, which applies to destinations in Darfur only, as “humiliating and insulting to Darfuris”. He termed the increase “unacceptable” and said that his group would “take strict measures to put an end to the greed and market manipulation of these companies”. According to Idris, the price of a round-trip to Khartoum from El Geneina is now SDG2,020 ($460), from El Fasher SDG1,520 ($346), and from Nyala, SDG1,740 ($400). File photoRelated: Reduced airfares to Sudan capital due to W Darfur security conditions (15 March 2013)