UAE-India travel: Fares rise as high as 200%, forcing many expats to postpone returns until September

UAE-India travel: Fares rise as high as 200%, forcing many expats to postpone returns until September

Dubai: Airfares from India to the UAE are seeing increases of up to 200 per cent compared with off-season rates, and forcing many expat Indians to postpone their returns until they see some cooling off on the prices by early to mid-September.

Summer holiday travel always leads to sharp fare increases into and from the UAE, whether that’s to the UK, Europe, getaway destinations such as the Maldives, and, of course, to Pakistan, the Philippines and India. But what’s being seen on the UAE-India sector is unprecedented, say travel industry sources.

After dipping in the second-half of July, fares from India to the UAE are rising and will continue to do so until September 6.

Travel agents say Air India's decision to cut airline capacity to two-tier cities in India and the void left by budget airline Go First's bankruptcy has fuelled this summer airfare highs.

For example, an Economy class ticket from Mumbai to Dubai costs around Dh890-Dh1,000 (for travel on August 20), up from the Dh500 plus now. Delhi-Dubai flights are priced at Dh1,073 for travel on the exact dates, compared to around Dh520 off-peak.

No respite on South India routes

When it comes to destinations in and from South India, especially Kerala, the