Airfares on key UAE-India routes are showing signs of decline after several weeks of steep increases, providing some relief to Indian expatriates planning summer trips. The decline comes as airlines are gradually restoring capacity, increasing frequencies and putting more seats back on the market ahead of the July-August peak travel season.According to a Gulf News report, fares on some sectors—particularly routes connecting the UAE to Kerala—have fallen from recent highs, although travel industry executives have warned that prices remain well above last year’s levels and could rise again as holiday demand picks up.
Kerala leads road fare reforms
Rahish Babu, Chief Operating Officer of Musafir. com, told Gulf News that ticket prices on some sectors to Kerala which had soared to around Dh3,500-Dh3,600, have come down to around Dh2,600 due to the return of additional flights to service.He attributed the decline to improvements in seat availability and a modest increase in airline capacity, noting that supply constraints, which pushed fares up sharply earlier this month, have begun to ease.However, industry players stressed that current fares remain high compared to 2024 levels, with many July travel dates still commanding premium pricing.
Prices continue to rise due to summer travel demand
The UAE-India corridor remains one of the world’s busiest international aviation markets, supported by strong trade, tourism and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic.The June–August period is traditionally one of the most expensive times to travel, as school holidays and family holidays lead to increased outbound demand from the UAE. Airlines typically sell less fare inventory early on, leaving less budget-friendly seats closer to departure dates.
Flight operations return to normal after regional disruptions
Travel agents have linked the recent softening of fares to the gradual normalization of flight schedules after disruptions caused by regional geopolitical tensions.Zaid Amin, owner of Go Kite Tours and Travels, said operations were disrupted during the period of conflict, with only a limited number of carriers maintaining full schedules.He also pointed to increased transit options through Muscat, operated by Salam Air, which has added more supply to the market.
Fares reduced by Dh300-Dh400 on select routes
Amin said some routes have seen fares cut by about Dh300-Dh400 in recent weeks and suggested rates could remain relatively stable if flight frequencies continued to increase.On Kerala sectors, he said airlines have had to reduce prices as flights are still not completely sold out. Some relief has come from IndiGo’s additional services and improvement in seat availability on routes like Kochi and Calicut.He expects fares to approach normal levels over the next six weeks as more flights, including Air India Express services, gradually resume.
Industry warns against too much short-term downside
Despite the recent relaxations, travel agents say airfare volatility remains high. Safir Mahmood, general manager of Smart Travels, said there is no clear indication that fares are on a sustained downward trend.Instead, he described the current situation as a temporary fluctuation driven by changes in inventory levels and booking patterns.Citing strong seasonal demand and lower overall flight frequencies than in previous years, Mahmood estimated that fares are about 15-20 percent higher than last summer.
Travelers advised to keep a close eye on prices
Industry experts said travelers may still occasionally find bargains as cancellations and last-minute inventory releases lead to temporary fare cuts.Travel agents sometimes have access to pre-blocked seats that can be sold at prices lower than publicly available fares.With demand expected to remain strong during the summer holiday period, travelers are being advised to monitor fares regularly and book promptly when attractive deals become available.