UAE-India flights: Ticket rates are starting to drop for off-peak phase

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)