F1 sent air fare to Singapore soaring

The Singapore Formula One Grand Prix which took place last weekend had sent air ticket prices soaring, travel agents in Mumbai said.

Travel agents stated that people had spent even on business class tickets worth Rs 1.3 lakh to catch this much-hyped event in Singapore.

Many enthusiasts have readily to shelled out Rs 13,000 and upwards over the weekend just to catch the race. 
The Formula One (F1) car racing event which was held on September 25 had helped almost double the airfare to Singapore.
"The air ticket to Singapore was costing you from Rs 13,000 to Rs 60,000, even for economy class.  Earlier, a two-way ticket cost was just Rs 20,000," said Rajesh Rateria, owner of Cirrus Travels, in Fort.

Because of the race, even a Kingfisher airline ticket cost Rs 13,677, whereas the cost of an Emirates airline ticket skyricketed to Rs 69, 331, even for the economy class.

Lots of Indians headed to Singapore to watch this event. "Everybody who is known and famous wanted to be seen there. Although the race spanned 1.5 hours, people were going in herds to catch it live. It's a good way to rub shoulders with the high-flyers," stated another travel agent from Lokhandwala.

The F1 event caught the interest of Indians and some were ready to buy even business class tickets.  "We had clients who paid Rs 1.30-1.35 lakh for business class tickets. It was difficult to get economy class tickets. Watching F1 has become a hobby and people are following it everywhere," said Rateria.

This craze for the race will also triggered a higher tourist turnout as expected when it takes off in India.
"From October 28 to 30, the F1 race will be held in Delhi. This will definitely increase inbound traffic to India," Rateria further explained to DNA.