Airfares on key UAE-India routes have shown signs of declining after weeks of steep increases, offering some respite to Indian expatriates planning summer travel. The decline comes as airlines gradually restore capacity, add frequencies and bring more seats back into the market ahead of the peak July-August travel season.According to a report by Gulf News, fares on certain sectors—especially routes connecting the UAE with Kerala—have fallen from recent highs, although travel industry executives warn that prices remain significantly above last year’s levels and could climb again as holiday demand intensifies.
Kerala routes lead fare correction
Raheesh Babu, Chief Operating Officer of Musafir. com, told Gulf News that ticket prices on some Kerala-bound sectors that had surged to around Dh3,500-Dh3,600 have eased to nearly Dh2,600 as additional flights return to service.He attributed the decline to improved seat availability and a modest increase in airline capacity, noting that supply constraints that had pushed fares sharply higher earlier this month have begun to ease.However, industry players stressed that current fares remain elevated compared to 2024 levels, with several July travel dates still commanding premium pricing.
Summer travel demand continues to drive prices
The UAE-India corridor remains one of the world’s busiest international aviation markets, supported by strong business, tourism and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic.The June-August period is traditionally among the costliest times to travel, as school holidays and family vacations trigger a surge in outbound demand from the UAE. Airlines typically sell lower fare inventory early, leaving fewer budget-friendly seats closer to departure dates.
Flight operations normalize after regional disruptions
Travel agents linked the recent moderation in fares to the gradual normalization of flight schedules following disruptions caused by regional geopolitical tensions.Zaid Ameen, owner of Go Kite Tours & Travels, said operations had been constrained during the conflict period, with only a limited number of carriers maintaining full schedules.He also pointed to increased transit options through Muscat operated by Salam Air, which have added further supply to the market.
Fares down by Dh300-Dh400 on select routes
Ameen said some routes have witnessed fare reductions of approximately Dh300-Dh400 in recent weeks and suggested that rates could remain relatively stable if flight frequencies continue to increase.On Kerala sectors, he noted that airlines have had to lower prices because flights are not yet selling out completely. Routes such as Kochi and Calicut have seen some relief, helped by additional IndiGo services and improving seat availability.He expects fares to move closer to normal levels over the next six weeks as more flights, including services from Air India Express, are gradually reinstated.
Industry warns against reading too much into short-term declines
Despite the recent easing, travel agents maintain that airfare volatility remains high. Safeer 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 changing inventory levels and booking patterns.Mahmood estimated that fares remain around 15-20 per cent higher than last summer, citing strong seasonal demand and lower overall flight frequencies compared with previous years.
Travellers advised to track prices closely
Industry experts said passengers may still find occasional bargains as cancellations and last-minute inventory releases create temporary fare reductions.Travel agents also sometimes have access to pre-blocked seats that can be sold at lower prices than publicly available fares.With demand expected to remain strong through the summer holiday period, travellers are being advised to monitor fares regularly and book quickly when attractive deals become available.
