Air travel between the UAE and India is experiencing a significant price surge, with fares rising by up to 50% in the lead-up to Diwali. Travelers heading to Mumbai or Delhi next week will feel the impact the most, as ticket prices have spiked dramatically compared to the off-peak rates from mid-September.
The Hindu festival of Diwali, falling on October 31 and November 1 this year, is driving up demand for flights on this popular route.
High Demand Leads to Fare Hikes
According to Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing at Pluto Travels, “India flights are packed – while this time of the year is usually busy for inbound Indian tourists to the UAE, this year’s trends are exceptionally busy. Many travelers are coming from India to Dubai before the festival, with inbound traffic approaching Dhanteras and Diwali. Many more are expected to fly early next week.”
Economy-class return fares from Dubai to Mumbai, for instance, have surged to Dh1,419 (on IndiGo) for travel dates between October 26 and November 3. Just two weeks ago, prices hovered between Dh780-Dh890. Mumbai-Dubai fares have also risen, now exceeding Dh1,600.
Etihad Airways is offering flights at Dh1,532, Air India at Dh1,711, and Emirates fares range from Dh2,670 to as much as Dh6,020, despite Mumbai’s frequent flight schedules and good connectivity.
Delhi and Other Cities See Similar Spikes
The price increases are not limited to Mumbai. Flights to Delhi are now at Dh1,882 (Air Arabia) and Dh2,530 (Etihad), compared to Dh980-Dh1,100 in September and early October. Flights to Jaipur average between Dh2,261 (Air Arabia) and Dh3,060 (Air India Express), while those to Kolkata range from Dh1,820 (Etihad Airways) to Dh2,330 (Emirates).
Even flights to Tier 2 cities like Nagpur, Indore, and Lucknow have seen sharper increases than those to major cities like Mumbai and Delhi. Hemali Shah, Managing Director of City One Tourism and Travel, noted, “Sometimes travelers take connecting flights. However, given the short duration of the holidays, they prefer direct flights.”
Fares from airports in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have also risen significantly.
South India Holds Steady
While prices for flights to North and Central India have skyrocketed, fares to South Indian destinations like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka have remained relatively stable. For example, flights to Kochi are priced at Dh873, while Chennai and Hyderabad flights are at Dh1,385 and Dh1,009, respectively. Even Bengaluru, typically expensive due to limited connectivity, is affordable at Dh1,220 (Etihad).
Demand Remains Strong Despite Higher Fares
Despite the sharp increases, demand for flights shows no signs of slowing down. Hemali Shah explains, “While people complain about high airfares, they still travel. In some cases, seats were booked months in advance. The Indian market is usually price-conscious, focusing on the overall package cost and looking for several inclusions.”
Fortunately, these high prices are expected to ease soon. Sapna Aidasani reassures travelers, saying, “It should stabilize after November 1-2 after the Diwali festivities, after which fares remain stable until it begins climbing for the UAE National Day holidays.”
Short-Term Price Fluctuations
Airfares fluctuate significantly during this period. Justin Sunny from Europe Travel and Tours noted, “Airfares fluctuate during this time, with September fares around Dh400 doubling for most destinations, except Kerala.”
Group Travel to Offset Costs
Many travelers opt for group travel packages to mitigate the high costs. “Many older travelers or baby boomers opt for travel packages costing Rs50,000-Rs60,000,” added Sapna Aidasani. “These frequent visitors, often members of organizations like the Lions Club and kitty groups, come with pre-planned agendas, which include shopping.”
