Abu Dhabi: In view of the rising demand for flight services ahead of the festival season and summer break in schools, various airlines have increased the fares between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kerala. While there is a hike of Rs 3,000-8,300 on the UAE-Kerala sector, flight tickets are dearer by Rs 3,000-6,000 on the Kerala-UAE route.
According to sources in the travel industry, the rates will go up further in the coming days.
“Relaxation in COVID-19-related restrictions and increase in the number of passengers due to school holidays and the conclusion of the Dubai Expo has led to steep fares,” they said.
There was an increase in the number of families travelling from UAE to Kerala after a three-week vacation started in the Gulf country following the annual school exams. Meanwhile, schools in Kerala will close soon for the two-month summer holidays and a rush of family travellers from the state to the UAE is expected.
As festivals and observations such as Vishu, Easter and Ramadan are coming up in April, airlines have fixed high rates for the entire month. The one-way fare from UAE to Kerala which was AED 350 (Rs 7,262) a week ago has now been increased to AED 150-700 (Up to Rs 14,525) by some airlines.
According to airline authorities, they were forced to raise the fares due to the high aviation fuel prices and to recoup the losses suffered in the last two years of the pandemic. Fares of foreign carriers such as Air Arabia, Emirates and Etihad are much higher than Indian operators Go First, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Air India Express.
Non-resident Indians in the UAE, who were keenly looking forward to a fall in flight fares considering the resumption of regular international schedules to and from India starting March 27, are deeply disappointed by these developments.
