Indian expatriates heading home for the holiday season are finding minor relief as airfares on UAE-India routes have experienced a slight drop. This shift comes as airlines gradually restore capacity and increase the number of flights available in the market following recent regional disruptions.
Travel industry experts noted that while prices have eased on specific sectors after surging earlier this month, overall costs remain elevated compared to the previous year. Potential for further price fluctuations exists as the peak travel period continues. Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, indicated that fares on certain Kerala-bound flights, which had climbed as high as Dh3,500 to Dh3,600, have retracted to approximately Dh2,600. Babu attributed this to increased supply and a higher number of operational flights from Indian carriers.
The UAE-India aviation corridor remains one of the busiest global routes, characterized by high travel demand from June through August due to school vacations and family visits. Zaid Ameen, owner of Go Kite Tours & Travels, explained that the recent improvement in pricing is tied to the return of airline operations that were previously affected by regional conflicts. He noted that while major carriers like Emirates and flydubai maintained consistent schedules, the return of Indian airlines such as IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Air India Express has provided much-needed relief. Additional operations, including increased capacity from Salam Air, are also contributing to a broader supply of seats.
Despite the recent downward trend, some industry leaders advise caution. Safeer Mahmood, general manager of Smart Travels, suggested that the current dip might be temporary, noting that fares are still 15 to 20 percent higher than they were last summer. He highlighted that ticket pricing is highly sensitive to seat availability and last-minute cancellations. Similarly, TP Sudheesh of Deira Travels observed significant reductions on routes like Kannur, where fares dropped by Dh400 to Dh500, but warned that rates could rise again as schedules continue to normalize.
Sapna Aidasani, head of marketing at Pluto Travels, emphasized that while the demand remains robust for the July holiday season, travelers can still secure value by planning ahead and monitoring market shifts. Full-service airline fares currently hover between Dh1,250 and Dh1,500, while budget carriers generally range from Dh850 to Dh1,100. Occasionally, promotional fares can be found when airlines release unsold inventory or when cancellations create sudden availability. Travelers are also reminded to complete the mandatory Air Suvidha 2.0 Health Self Declaration Form within 24 hours of their departure for India.
