UAE-India airfares hold steady for now even after Go First’s grounding

UAE-India airfares hold steady for now even after Go First’s grounding

Dubai: Airfares on the UAE-India sector have managed to easily absorb the pull out of services by the low-cost airline Go First as it struggles with insolvency issues. If at all rates have seen any firming up, they have been on flights from Dubai to Kochi and Kannur in the southern state of Kerala. Incidentally, these were routes Go First was active on, which could partly explain the firming up of rates as passengers who had booked with the airline rushed to find alternate arrangements. “Go First launched the route to Kannur a few months ago, which had considerably reduced fares,” said Afi Ahmed, Managing Director of Smart Travels. “It was popular among travellers who wanted a quick weekend trip back home. With that option gone, prices have gone up.” Go First was the only airline other than Air India Express to have flights to Kannur, and had been popular because of the convenient departure times. It was on May 2 that Go First announced the cancellations of the UAE services, though hinting these would be restored shortly. But then concerns about whether the Indian airline had the means to keep operating turned acute and it will be the courts