Air ticket prices between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have soared as the festivals of Eid-Al-Adha (likely to fall on September 1) and Onam (September 4) near. The problem has been compounded as most of the schools in UAE are reopening from September 10.
A look at the air prices of Etihad Airways has caused many raised eyebrows – a round trip ticket from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram booked between August 30 and September 9, will cost a family of four a whopping AED19,576 (INR3,41,340.86). The breakup is AED9,116 economy flex rate for departure and AED10,460 for arrivals.
However, despite the soaring prices, the tickets are selling fast.
The return ticket from Abu Dhabi to the capital of Kerala, which used to be AED2,000 (per person) a week earlier, has been doubled up to AED4,000 burning holes in the pockets of Indian expatriates.
Even the budget airline Air India Express fares are high. The tickets will come at a minimum price of AED1400(one way) per person. That means for a family of four, you have to fork out more than AED5000 for one way tickets.AED1400(one way) per person. That means for a family of four, you have to fork out more than AED5000 for one way tickets.
An Air India Express travel consultant said demand is high and the airline has introduced additional flights to cater to the needs of travellers.
“Tickets are available but government holidays for Eid-Al-Adha will make it dearer. August 31 is a holiday and schools reopen on September 10. These and anything in between will be priced high,” the consultant said.
Razi Koya, Business Development Manager of Infinity Travel, told a Dubai-based newspaper, “This year, there is an unprecedented rush of travellers. Eid rush is a norm every year as it is peak-season for travelling. But this year, the rush is unprecedented because Eid, Onam and school-reopening are all coinciding.”