UAE-India travel: July airfares rise lower than in 2024

Dubai: Airline tickets to India for July’s holiday breaks are seeing the smallest increases in the last 3 years, adding up to a big cost break for Indian expats in the UAE. Those who are planning to make bookings now will see increases of 5%-15% compared to June for trips in late June or early next month.

“Compare that to the 30%-40% increases in 2023 and 2024 and it’s quite a good bargain on the UAE-India routes, especially in a peak travel period,” said Sanoor, founder of Dubai-based Asiatic Travels and Tours. “A main reason for fares to India remaining in check is because the likes of Air India, Indigo and Spice Jet brought in additional flights on the UAE-India sector.”

According to travel agents, seats are available on flights to Mumbai and Delhi for under- and around the Dh1,000 mark. When it comes to destinations in Kerala, the ticket rates tend to push higher, at Dh1,200 and above.

Another reason that travel industry sources suggest for the lower fare hikes in Summer 2025 has to do with splitting up of the Eid and summer travel. “Last year, Eid and summer trips more or less coincided, which meant travel demand to India was much higher – and there wasn’t enough flight capacity too,” said Sanoor. “This year, there was a  clear split with the Eid break, and you have all the new seats coming into play in the sector.”