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Flight tickets on the UAE-India routes have taken a sudden drop, with two-way rates on Dubai-Bengaluru and Dubai-Chennai at Dh1,300 compared to Dh2,000 just a week ago. Two-way airfares between Dubai-Mumbai route hover around Dh1,500.
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“Since schools in the UAE have re-opened, travel on these routes are slowing as opposed to the December-January period,” said Godfrey Lopez of Uranus travels. “Even though PCR-tests have been scrapped in the UAE, travel demand is only expected to reach up to a certain point because this is still the off-peak season.”
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In February, the UAE updated its travel requirements for all inbound travellers. Vaccinated travellers no longer require RT-PCR - or rapid tests - to enter. UAE residents can also travel to Dubai without GDRFA or ICA approval.
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Currently, a one-way ticket from India to the UAE cost between Dh500 and Dh700. The UAE-to-India airfares hover between Dh300 and Dh500. India’s decision to further delay the launch of full international commercial services has not affected rates during this off-season.
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But can ticket rates remain low in the short-term? Because the surge in oil prices – at $110 plus a barrel - will start reflecting on your airfares.
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“Travellers will bear this cost if crude prices remains volatile,” said Lopez. Some airlines have already increased fuel-related costs on airfares by 20 per cent with effect from February 28.
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Currently, flydubai prices an economy ticket to India in the Dh300 to Dh400 range. Indian carriers such as Go First, Indigo and SpiceJet operate one-way flights from UAE to India at Dh300 to Dh350, while a round trip costs Dh1300. Low-cost Indian carriers have also increased baggage allowance by 10 kilograms to 40 kilograms per person to attract more travellers.
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An Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi to Kochi and other southern Indian states costs Dh1,400 to Dh1,600. Fares to Bengaluru are at a higher range compared to any other destinations in India due to lesser flight frequency.
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Flights to Mumbai cost around Dh1,500 and airfare to Delhi hover around Dh1,800 with Air India. Compared to November and December, these trips are proving to be a whole lot cheaper.
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According to sources, travel is expected to see a gradual rise in May. “Many UAE expats will travel back home for Eid and this will push up airfares,” said Lopez. (Ramadan is likely to begin on April 2.)
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