Kerala Expats Face Steep Airfare Hikes Returning to UAE After Summer Break

Expats face steep airfares as summer holidays end in UAE

As the UAE’s two-month summer break draws to a close, expats are gearing up to return, with most schools in the region set to reopen on August 26. While those who booked their flights well in advance secured reasonable fares, last-minute travelers are now grappling with significantly higher airfares.

A popular travel website shows that direct flights from Kochi to Dubai on August 18 are now priced high across various airlines. For example, Air India Express is charging around Rs 43,468, SpiceJet fares are Rs 44,565, Indigo at Rs 49,296, and Air India tops the list with a staggering fare of Rs 77,223. Although fare differences may exist between various websites and travel agencies, the total cost of flying to UAE from India has risen to a minimum of Rs 50,000. This marks a significant increase compared to seasonal fares, where the same journey could be completed for as little as Rs 6,000. For a family of four, this is equivalent to an outlay of nearly Rs 2 lakh on airfare alone, making the return journey a costly affair.

The situation is consistent across several routes, with no relief in sight for those flying to the UAE via major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru or Delhi. Airfares on these routes remain high, and the trend is similar to other airports in Kerala, where the cost of returning to the UAE by mid-September is proving to be a financial burden for many expats.

Despite the high prices, many expats find themselves with little choice but to return because of work obligations and their children’s education. The urgency of their return leaves them with no choice but to pay the inflated prices to ensure they are back in time for the start of the school year.

Interestingly, while fares from Kerala to UAE are going up, the situation is quite different for those flying in the opposite direction. Flights from UAE to Kerala are currently available for only Rs 5,713. However, it remains to be seen whether these rates will fluctuate with the upcoming Onam festival, which is a significant event for the Malayali community.

There is some hope that airfares may see a slight decline in both directions starting from the third week of September, as Onam celebrations come to an end. This anticipated reduction in fares may offer some relief to travelers, though it may be too late for those who need to return sooner.

Meanwhile, expats returning to the UAE are advised to keep an eye on fare trends and book as soon as possible to avoid further price hikes. The current scenario highlights the challenges that come with last-minute travel during peak seasons, especially for families and individuals who have to balance work, education and financial considerations.