Airfare from UAE to India plunges to Rs 6,500 from Rs 43,000-64,000 a month ago

Abu Dhabi: Airfares from UAE to India have witnessed a steep fall and tickets are now available for as little as 300 UAE Dirhams, which equals around Rs 6,500. During July and August, when there were summer holidays in the UAE, tickets to India were priced at 2,000-3,000 Dirhams (Rs 43,000-64,000)

However, a traveller from India to UAE has to pay four times the UAE-India fare, with a Kochi – Dubai one-way ticket costing Rs 25,000. The fare would go still further up to Abu Dhabi.

UAE-India ticket fare, which is now around 300 Dirhams, is expected to remain low till November end, which is ‘off-season’ on the route. But, when schools close for three weeks in Gulf countries for the winter holidays, the ticket rates would shoot up. During that time, the demand would increase also due to Christmas and New Year vacations.

Airlines hike ticket fares coinciding with various festivals in India. At the same time, rates would be low during September, October, November and February, which are considered ‘off-season.’ Even though cheap tickets would be available during these months, families of expatriates cannot plan a trip as there are no school holidays in the Gulf or India.

Meanwhile, airlines are wooing passengers with several offers, including easing of baggage rules, during the off-season.