Onam travel deals: Fly to Kerala from UAE for as low as Dh189 on Air India Express

Dubai: As the festival of Onam approaches, airlines and travel agencies across the UAE are rolling out a bounty of travel deals, making it more affordable for expatriates to fly home and celebrate with their families.

Passengers can now travel to Kerala for as low as Dh189, with multiple agencies and airlines launching special fares and packages to meet the festive demand.

UAE airline Air Arabia has also joined the festive spirit with its ‘sweet surprise’ for Onam travellers. The airline is offering one-way fares from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode for Dh255.

Travellers from Sharjah can find one-way tickets to Kochi for Dh349, while flights from Sharjah to Thiruvananthapuram start from Dh399 for travel on October 10 and 11, 2025.

Onam, Kerala's annual harvest festival, is a 10-day cultural event that is a time for family reunions, traditional feasts known as Onam Sadhya, intricate floral carpets (Pookkalam) and various cultural activities like boat races and dances.

The end of summer often brings a significant travel rush from the UAE to Kerala, a trend amplified by the Onam festival. As the long summer holidays for schools conclude and the festival period begins, many Keralite expatriates, especially those without school-going children, seize the opportunity to return home.

Leading the charge is also Smart Travel Group, which launched an offer to mark its 10th anniversary. As an ‘Onam gift’ to the community, the agency is offering one-way tickets from Dubai to Kozhikode (Calicut) for an unprecedented Dh189, inclusive of a 30kg baggage allowance.

This special fare is available on September 4th, the eve of Onam, and is a first-of-its-kind initiative by a UAE travel agency, according to Smart Travels Chairman Afi Ahmed. The offer extends to other cities in Kerala, with one-way fares to Kochi available for Dh299 and Kannur for Dh310.

"This is a golden opportunity for expatriates to fly home and celebrate Onam with their families," said Chairman of Smart Travels Afi Ahmed.

"We are truly delighted to make it possible at just Dh189 this festive season." The limited seats are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis across all six Smart Travel branches in the UAE and four in Kerala.

Another travel agency, AlHind Travel and Tourism, has launched one-way tickets to Kerala for Dh500.

While one-way tickets are seeing significant price drops, return journeys remain pricier. For instance, a return fare for a trip between August 30 and September 5 with AlHind Travel and Tourism is priced at Dh1, 580.

“Families without school-going children have opted to stay back home in Kerala, complete their Onam celebrations and return home," said Ahmed. However, bachelors and those without school-going children are keen to fly home specifically for the festival.

For those who wish to celebrate Onam with a vacation, travel agencies are also offering tour packages under Dh1,000.

Anisha Travel and Tourism said it had curated affordable packages to destinations like Sri Lanka and Bhutan. These packages are designed to provide an authentic Onam experience while travelling, including participation in traditional events like the Onam Sadhya (grand feast) and witnessing cultural performances, all within a budget-friendly framework.