Residents of the United Arab Emirates planning a trip to India this month can save hundreds of dirhams. According to an analysis by Khaleej Times and data from travel agents, return flights on several routes have dropped by approximately 20–30 percent compared to previous weeks.
Flight Price Dynamics
Prices for flights to many destinations in North and West India have fallen to just over 1000 dirhams for a round trip. However, tickets to South Indian cities remain more expensive. Travel agents predict that lower fares will only be available for a few days in July before prices rise for August travel.
Expert Comments
Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travel in Mangaluru, noted that flight costs to the coastal state of Karnataka have also decreased in recent weeks. He reported a price drop of about 20 percent, although this depends on the departure airport. According to him, flights from Abu Dhabi are currently usually cheaper than those from Dubai, and lower fares can now be found to cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai.
Nevertheless, Siddique advised travelers planning to fly in August to book tickets in advance, as prices are already starting to rise.
Savings in the North and West
Subair Tekepuratvallappil, manager of Wisefox Travel and Tourism, stated that the greatest savings are currently available on routes to North and West India. He emphasized that tickets to cities like Delhi and Ahmedabad have become more affordable. Furthermore, Mumbai and Pune are significantly cheaper than many South Indian destinations, including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode. For a trip lasting seven to ten days in July, return tickets can start from approximately 1080 dirhams.
Price Analysis Details
A price check conducted by Khaleej Times on Bookings.com for a return flight between July 21 and July 31 revealed significant differences between destinations. Among the lowest fares were: Ahmedabad (from 1029 dirhams), New Delhi (from 1041 dirhams), Mumbai (from 1074 dirhams), Pune (from 1114 dirhams), Bengaluru (from 1389 dirhams), Kozhikode (from 1578 dirhams), and Mangaluru (from 1928 dirhams).
The analysis shows that travelers heading to North and West India can find better deals, while prices to popular spots in Kerala and coastal Karnataka remain several hundred dirhams higher despite the recent decrease.
Reasons for Cost Change
Compared to a price check conducted on June 14 for the same dates, when tickets cost approximately 20–30 percent more, it is clear that airfares have softened. Travel agents attribute the lower prices to a temporary slowdown after the start of the summer tourist rush. They expect prices to rise again in August as more families travel before the resumption of the academic year, which will increase demand for flights to India.
