Air travellers from Kerala to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now forced to pay double the existing fares in the reverse direction. As per latest ticket rates, while UAE-Kerala tickets are priced at around Rs 6,000, a passenger needs to shell out at least Rs 13,900 to fly from any airport in the state to the Gulf nation.
For instance, one-way tickets are available for a Kochi-Dubai trip on Air India Express and SpiceJet at Rs 13,900; Indigo, Rs 14,900; Air Arabia, Rs 15,500 and Emirates Airlines, Rs 16,900. In other words, a four-member family would have to spend a huge amount to fly to the UAE.
Off-peak rush
According to travel experts, a big demand is witnessed for tickets even during the present off-season following the easing of visa rules as well as COVID-19 regulations by the UAE. The Gulf nation has recently simplified visa rules and started offering long-term visas for investors, artists and students having an excellent academic record. People from Kerala are also travelling to the UAE to spend time with their relatives and friends. Availability of affordable hotel rooms and short travel time are other attractions.
Another reason for the rush is the return of families of non-resident Indians who were held up in India for over two years due to the global pandemic. In addition, a large number of people are now travelling abroad for various purposes such as tourism, business, job search, self-employment and studies.
The pleasant weather in the UAE during October to February is yet another reason luring travellers to the country.
Shortage of services
Travel experts said lack of sufficient services to meet the demand has led to the hike in air fares to the UAE. At the same time, airline officials said that it was not necessary to reduce fares when there is heavy demand for tickets.
Fly cheap to India
All airlines slashed the air fares from UAE to Kerala to attract passengers following a steep fall in demand. Some of them have also increased the baggage allowance to 40 kg. Some carriers now offer a one-way ticket for as low as 269 UAE Dirhams (Rs 6,080), compared to UAE Dirhams 2,000-4,000 (Rs 45,210-90,420) during the season.
Air India
A ticket from Dubai or Sharjah to Kozhikode and from Dubai to Kochi costs 300 UAE Dirhams only (Rs 6,781). The luggage allowance for economy class is 40 kg and for business class 50 kg. People booking tickets now can travel till November 30 at this fare.
Air India Express
You can fly from Dubai to Kozhikode at UAE Dirhams 269 and to Kochi at UAE Dirhams 380. There are seven services a week to Kochi and 13 to Kozhikode.
The fares on Air India Express to other Indian cities in UAE Dirhams are: Thiruvananthapuram, 445; Mumbai, 279; Delhi, 298; Mangaluru, 298; Jaipur, 313; Amritsar, 445; Lucknow, 449 and Tiruchirappalli, 570.
Go First
The fare from Dubai to Kannur on Go First is UAE Dirhams 316 and that from Abu Dhabi to Kannur is 337. The Abu Dhabi-Mumbai ticket rate is UAE Dirhams 291 and the fare from the emirate to Delhi, UAE Dirhams 341.
SpiceJet
A ticket on SpiceJet from Dubai to Kochi costs UAE Dirhams 285 only. The airline allows luggage of 40 kg per passenger also.
Indigo
The fare from Dubai to Kochi is UAE Dirhams 385. However, the luggage allowed is 30 kg only.
Foreign operators
All the above are Indian airline companies. Operators based abroad also have reduced their fares, but not as steeply as their Indian counterparts. For instance, the lowest fare from Dubai to Kochi is UAE Dirhams 620 on Fly Dubai and Air Arabia. These airlines allow a baggage of 25 kg.
Mumbai-Dubai among most popular routes
Meanwhile, the Mumbai to Dubai route has earned the distinction of the eighth-most popular international route. Over the last one year, 19.7 lakh passengers have travelled on this route, said airline data firm OAG.
Before COVID-19 struck, the world’s most popular route was Kuala Lumpur-Singapore. However, it is in fifth place now.
Currently, the first position is held by Cairo-Jeddah.