Affordable Flights Alert: UAE-India Routes Drop Under Dh1,000
Unlocking Affordable Airfares Amidst Talks of Increased Seating Capacity and Dynamic Fare Trends
The promising news is coming up for those planning journeys between the UAE and India. From late January to mid-March, travellers can seize the opportunity to fly at relatively lower airfares. However, this comes with a caveat—the calm before the storm, as airfares are expected to spike during the upcoming Ramadan phase in March-April. Surendranath Menon, Director at Equator Travel Management, suggests that those planning to travel to India should make the most of the affordable fares during February and early March.
New Seating Capacity Talks
Amidst this backdrop of fluctuating fares, discussions about increased seating capacity on the India-UAE route have resurfaced. Media reports indicate that India is pushing for a unique ratio, demanding four seats for its airlines for every additional seat granted to UAE-based carriers. This proposal challenges the conventional 1:1 reciprocal aviation bilateral norms. The existing agreements permit 66,000 weekly seats connecting Dubai to over 15 Indian cities, and both UAE and Indian carriers have exhausted their allocations.
Fare Trends on Key Routes
Economy return fares from Mumbai to Dubai are expected to drop to Dh931 in January 2024, down from the average high of Dh1,143. Similar trends are noted for routes to New Delhi. However, fares in the bustling South Indian sector, including Dubai to Kochi and Bengaluru, remain above Dh1,000 from January to March. Conversely, Chennai witnesses a notable drop to Dh931 after January 2024, further decreasing to Dh854 after February 15.
Elevated Fares and Rapid Fluctuations
The past year has witnessed heightened fare fluctuations in the India-UAE sector, one of the busiest routes globally. Travel agents note extended periods of high fares, followed by brief windows where return economy ticket prices drop below Dh1,000. Basheer Mohammed, General Manager of Europe Travel and Tours, points out this trend, highlighting prolonged fares ranging from Dh1,500 to Dh2,500, punctuated by brief bursts of prices lower than Dh800.
Dubai’s Visitor Landscape
In the context of these airfare dynamics, Dubai continues to be a hotspot for international travellers, welcoming 13.9 million overnight visitors from January to October 2023. India leads the pack with 2 million visitors, marking a 39 per cent increase compared to 2022. Air India reports impressive passenger load factors averaging 92-95 per cent, signalling robust outbound and inbound demand.
As the UAE-India airfare rollercoaster continues, prospective travellers should navigate this complex landscape strategically. A golden opportunity presents itself from late January to mid-March to fly at more affordable rates. However, with the looming spike in fares during Ramadan, meticulous planning is essential. The continuing dialogues regarding the augmentation of seating capacity introduce a captivating dimension to this narrative, underscoring the dynamic nature of the aviation industry. As travellers embark, they discover themselves navigating the skies and the constantly evolving currents of the aviation marketplace.
