UAE-India Flight Fares Surge Up to 25% During Peak Travel, Among World’s Steepest Increases

UAE-India Flight Fares Surge Up to 25% During Peak Travel, Outpacing Other Global Routes

Dubai, UAE — Airfares on flights between the United Arab Emirates and India are climbing more quickly than on many other major international routes, in a trend that’s beginning to pinch travellers and highlight structural limitations in one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors. The rising costs are affecting millions of passengers who rely on this critical link for work, family visits, and leisure travel.

According to aviation data analysts, ticket prices on the UAE-India route have risen by an average of up to 25 per cent during peak travel periods such as school vacations and holiday seasons, a much sharper increase than seen on similar corridors like UAE–Saudi Arabia or UAE–the UK, where peak fare bumps typically remain below 20 per cent. The difference is significant enough to affect travel decisions for many families.

Industry executives and travel experts say this rapid rise reflects a combination of sustained demand growth, restricted seat availability, and limited expansion in flight capacity — a mix that is placing upward pressure on prices as airlines struggle to keep pace with what travellers are willing to pay for essential journeys.

One of the World’s Busiest Flight Routes

The UAE–India air corridor is among the busiest international air routes globally, reflecting the deep people-to-people connections between the two nations. Latest figures show it ranked fifth in the world in February 2026 with about 2.08 million seat offerings across carriers operating between the two countries, a staggering number that still proves insufficient during peak periods.

That makes it a critical link not just for the millions of expatriate workers who form the backbone of the UAE’s economy and their families, but also for business travellers and the growing leisure segment as Indians increasingly travel for tourism. The route connects multiple cities in both countries, with frequent flights operating throughout the day.

Despite these high volumes and growing passenger flow — which in March 2025 actually placed the corridor sixth globally — industry stakeholders argue that capacity has not expanded sufficiently to absorb peak demand surges. Efforts to negotiate additional flight rights and increase capacity between the UAE and India have so far failed to yield meaningful results, leaving travellers to compete for limited seats.

Why Fares Are Rising Faster Here

Experts attribute the sharper increases in UAE–India airfares to a combination of interconnected factors that create a perfect storm for pricing:

Rapid demand growth: India has a massive population with strong and growing travel linkages to the UAE for work, tourism, and family visits that span generations. This generates consistent and high travel demand year-round, with especially intense spikes during holidays and school breaks when families must travel.

Limited seating versus demand: Carriers often operate near full capacity on many routes between the UAE and Indian cities, with planes regularly flying 90-95% full. During peak seasons, seats sell out earlier, and airlines can command significantly higher prices for the remaining inventory as travellers have no alternatives.

Seasonal pricing dynamics: Travel executives note that seasonal fluctuation is more pronounced on the India corridor than on other routes. While other popular international destinations see fare increases in holiday periods, the rise on the India route tends to be steeper and more volatile, creating uncertainty for planners.

Industry voices such as Imtiaz Hussain — CEO of UAEVisaTravel.com — explain that the structure of the India market is fundamentally volume-driven, with frequent, family-oriented travel accounting for much of the passenger base. This contrasts with markets such as the UK, where travel is less frequent but often more lucrative per customer, creating different pricing dynamics.

Broader Price Trends and Capacity Constraints

While airfares on many global routes have climbed in recent years due to broader aviation industry pressures — including rising fuel and operational costs, labour shortages, and structural delays in aircraft deliveries that have reduced fleet sizes — market sources say the UAE–India price growth is especially acute because capacity hasn’t grown proportionately with demand.

In some periods, airlines have also faced cancellations or operational disruptions that exacerbate the supply squeeze, leaving even fewer options for desperate travellers. Past reports have shown that when major carriers reduce flights or reallocate capacity to more profitable routes, it can lead to sudden fare spikes and severely limited options for passengers who must travel.

The bilateral aviation agreement between India and the UAE, which governs how many flights airlines can operate, has not kept pace with demand growth, leaving capacity artificially constrained even as passenger numbers soar.

What This Means for Travellers

For passengers planning travel between the UAE and India — whether visiting family, returning home for festivals, or going on vacation — the current trend suggests several practical realities that require advance planning:

Book early: Last-minute tickets tend to be significantly more expensive, especially in peak periods when seats disappear quickly. Booking weeks or months in advance can make a substantial difference.

Expect higher peak-season prices: Summer vacations, major festivals like Diwali and Eid, and holiday breaks typically push prices to their highest levels of the year, often exceeding normal ranges significantly.

Consider alternate routes or airlines: Sometimes flying via secondary airports or using different carriers can offer savings, though this may add travel time. Flexibility with dates can also help.

Watch for airline sales: Occasionally, carriers offer promotional fares that can provide relief, though these are less common during peak periods.

Also Read: UAE Shuts Down 12 Unlicensed Recruitment Agencies, Cracks Down on Illegal Domestic Worker Hiring

Looking Ahead

Travel industry leaders continue to urge aviation authorities and airlines on both sides to explore ways to increase flight capacity, add routes, and ease bilateral restrictions — moves that could help moderate future price increases and better match capacity with booming demand. However, such negotiations are complex and take time.

Until then, passengers should expect the UAE-India route to remain among the world’s most expensive per mile during peak seasons, a premium price for an essential connection.

UAE-India fares rising fast. Demand outstrips supply. Book early or pay the price.