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Many expats still cannot afford air tickets from multiple destinations
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Airfare prices from popular destinations in India to the UAE are still high, expats and travel agents say, even as the summer holidays for UAE educational institutions come to an end.
In some cases, several families currently in India are waiting for fares to drop so they can return to the UAE, the travel agency revealed.
Airlines have also ramped up capacity as Covid-19 restrictions end. According to a recent report by aviation consultancy OAG, Dubai and Mumbai are already considered the busiest in the world in terms of airline seats.
In addition, agents said that since the UAE is currently hosting the Asian Cup, airfares from South Asian destinations to Dubai are expensive. A one-way ticket from destinations such as Karachi, Pakistan, costs an average of Dh960 on flydubai and Dh1,185 on Dubai’s flagship airline, Emirates.
However, aviation expert and managing director of Smart Travels Afi Ahmed said Kerala destinations are still unaffordable for ordinary people. “Kerala will celebrate its annual harvest festival Onam on September 8. We see prices only fall after September 10,” Ahmed said.
“Many families are stuck at home because they can’t afford return tickets. In some cases, families choose to stay to celebrate Onam and return to work in the UAE,” he explained. Onam is an important festival for Malayans and those living abroad in Kerala.
According to travel aggregator site SkyScanner.ae, the cheapest one-way fares from South and North Indian destinations on September 1 are as follows:
Kochi – Dh1,503
Kannur – Dh1,701
Kozhikode – Dh1,335
Bangalore – Dh1,277
Chennai – Dh1,881
Mumbai – Dh1,146
Delhi – Dh1,203
After September 9, airfares from destinations in northern and western India have only been gradually reduced to affordable amounts. However, the average price of a flight from southern India to the UAE continued to remain at AED 700 until the end of September. Off-peak fares in India are usually between Dh200 and Dh300.
Raheesh Babu, group chief operating officer of internet travel agency Musafir.com, said: “One-way prices are unusually high during this time. Normally, prices should drop in the first week of September. From South Indian destinations, Onam may be the main source of high prices. reason.
“This year, as authorities have largely lifted Covid-19 restrictions, the number of travellers to India has been very high; this could also explain the high prices.” He added: “Apart from families, several ordinary people including blue-collar workers People have also traveled to India to wait for their return.”
Starting today (Wednesday, August 31), the Indian aviation authority has lifted the price cap for domestic air tickets. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said: “After reviewing the current status of scheduled domestic operations, i.e. passenger demand for air travel…it has been decided to cancel the relevant notification from time to time with effect from 31 August 2022.” Will seriously affect people planning to fly out during the festive season.
Last week, the Delhi High Court asked representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to hear a written petition challenging the exorbitant airfares for flights between the Gulf state and India.
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This Petition, filed by Delhi-based political group The Kerala Pravasi Society challenged section 135(1) of the Aircraft Regulations 1937, calling it vague, arbitrary and unconstitutional. The petition representing the non-resident Indian group was filed by Kuriakose Varghese, Supreme Court advocate and managing partner of KMPN Law.
Kerala Pravasi Association president Rajendran Vellapalath said Kerala flights are among the most expensive.
Varghese said: “This writ challenges 135(1) of the Airplane Regulations 1937. Airfare pricing must be subject to certain reasonable restrictions. Based on the court’s decision, we will find a representative for the DGCA and move the matter forward. .From there.”
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