‘Cost of flights to India, Pakistan likely to remain unchanged until May’
Airfares on India and Pakistan routes dropped in January and February and are expected to remain at the current levels over the next two months, according to travel industry executives in Dubai.
The new Covid-19 regulations enforced by India are making families reluctant to go back home, putting airfares under pressure over the next few months, they said.
UAE-based families from India and Pakistan are likely to combine their summer travel with Eid al Fitr holidays, which fall in May and barely a couple of weeks prior to summer holidays that start from June.
Shaik Shibli, head of marketing at ITL World, said the availability of flight tickets from India and Pakistan to the UAE would remain static during the mid-year holiday season.
“During the end of December and the first two weeks of January, there was a marginal spike in airfares, but rates have come down since then. We’ve seen a lot of promotions, indicating a dip in airfares,” said Sibli.
Muhammad Jaffar, business development manager, Al Awal Tourism, said airfares to India and Pakistan were on the lower side and some carriers were selling one-way tickets to India for as low as Dh280.
On Pakistani routes, the rates have been stable owing to lower supply and one-way ticket prices are up to Dh600.
Emirates airline’s website showed a Dubai-Mumbai oneway economy class ticket for Dh650 on Tuesday (March 2) and a similar fare on May 13. While one-way airfare on the Dubai-Lahore route costs
The availability of flight tickets from India and Pakistan to the UAE would remain static during the mid-year holiday season Shaik Shibli head of marketing, ITL World
Airfares to India would stay at current levels during Ramadan and Eid al Fitr because of new Covid-19 restrictions on these routes Muhammad Jaffar business development manager, Al Awal Tourism
Dh580 for the economy class on similar dates.
“Airfares to Pakistan will also remain at the same level because they’re already at their highest,” he added.
Jaffar said airfares to India would also stay at their current levels during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al Fitr because of the new Covid-19 restrictions on these routes.
Shibli said there is normally a spike in airfares during Eid al Fitr, but this time the ticket prices are likely to hold the line.
“There are more reasons for people to travel from the UAE during Eid and as a result, there may be a marginal uptick in fares. Schools are closed from June for summer holidays. So, people may consider flying a bit early to India and Pakistan, if they feel safer to do so,” he added. “Airfares will be more or less stable, or may report a marginal rise during Eid al Fitr.”