UAE flights: India, Pakistan airfares could double during peak summer holidays

UAE flights: India, Pakistan airfares could double during peak summer holidays

'Most seats are sold out, especially during Eid Al Adha break between July 8 and 11'

Published: Sun 5 Jun 2022, 12:34 PM Last updated: Sun 5 Jun 2022, 12:38 PM

Airfares to the Indian subcontinent are expected to double in July and August as demand for outbound travel will peak when many families travel to their home countries during the summer vacations.

The travel industry executives said there is a strong demand for travel during the summer vacations because this is the first summer break without Covid-19 restrictions after two years as travellers are not required to carry negative PCR tests, take approval from the General Director of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security prior to returning to the UAE.

The decline in new coronavirus cases and relaxation in travel restrictions have substantially improved travellers’ confidence. Many budget-conscious expatriate families in the UAE have not travelled to their home countries in the past two years, fearing Covid-driven travel restrictions could be imposed again.

In June, airfares to India are around Dh1,500 to Dh1,600, depending on the destination.

The travel industry executives noted that fares to popular Indian cities could reach up to Dh3,000 during the