Airline Ticket Rates In UAE Could Drop In September

Vaishnavi Venkataraman

4 years ago

UAE expats wanting to fly out in September, can now breathe a sigh of relief. Airlines might drop ticket prices, with rates as low as AED 298. According to the travel website Skyscanner.ae, Spicejet is offering a one-way trip to Kochi in mid-september for AED 298. On the other hand, travellers can also book an Emirates flight to the same destination for AED 900. Tickets to Mumbai start from AED 392, and to Lahore from AED 740. On that note, Here’s How A Dubai Resident Got Home From India after travelling for 40 Hours.

With countries easing Covid restrictions, airlines are offering slashed prices to attract tourists. Flight tickets from UAE to destinations in Europe and Asia are also expected to be lower than normal. However, for this to workout, countries must permit more flights. As of now, countries have only permitted limited flights. Airlines have now taken it upon themselves to list flights on important routes.

On another note, Air India Express Flight From Dubai Skids Splits In Two At Kozhikode, 18 Dead Including Both Pilots.

Flight Rates Have Increased Now

UAE residents flying back home are now shelling out more than normal. This is because individuals wanting to head back to India can only opt for repatriation or chartered flights. In addition, the latter option is working out to be more expensive. Reports from Gulf News reveal that India bound chartered flights have increased by over AED 400, compared to the prices pre-pandemic. On an average, Vande Bharat flights cost around AED 900 per ticket.

Ticket prices from the UAE to Pakistan have also increased by 40-50 per cent from last year. As of now, Emirates and Pakistan International Airways are the only two flights operating between UAE and Pakistan. A flight ticket in PIA is priced between AED 1,400 and AED 1,500. Similarly, Philippines has now enforced strict landing rights. The country is now permitting only repatriation flights and chartered flights, starting at AED 2,500. The ticket was priced AED 1,450 at the start of the year.

British expats looking to head back home will have to shell AED 2,000 to AED 2,700. However, fares to other European destinations have not dramatically changed from last year.

Also Read: Expat In Dubai Pays AED 68,000 For Flight Of 61 Indians In Memory Of Late Son

Increased Flight Fare Has Not Gone Down Well With Passengers

The increased flight fare has created an atmosphere of panic among passengers. Indian and Pakistani expats, trying to get back home claim the prices for repatriation flights are way too high. As a precaution, Air India Express has urged passengers to ensure authenticity and credibility of the travel agents while booking tickets.

“We request all passengers to visit our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter as we share a lot of real-time information for the benefit of our passengers on these platforms,” the Indian carrier said.

Travel agencies hope that the Indian government will approve more commercial flights in September. However, in case this does not happen, ticket prices might remain the same. Currently, a one-way ticket to Kochi, is priced between AED 1,350 to AED 1,450. In case these rates prevail, expats’ hopes of a reduced flight fare from September will take a big hit. Similarly, airlines will also have to find new way to lure travellers.