UAE Ambassador Highlights Need for Increased Flights to Curb Rising India-UAE Airfares
UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshali has raised concerns over rising airfares between the two countries, stressing the need to immediately increase airline capacity to meet the growing demand.
Speaking to Khaleej Times during the UAE-India Founders Retreat, he said: “Flight fares have gone up and the demand is high. I often see that we need more planes and seats. Otherwise, prices will continue to go up,” he said.
Concerns over airfares from India to UAE
The demand for air travel between the UAE and India has increased significantly, especially during peak travel periods such as Diwali. As a result, prices on flights from Dubai to Mumbai and Bengaluru have increased by as much as 50%.
The high number of expats in the United Arab Emirates and the desire of tourists to visit their hometowns over the holiday season are two of the reasons for the price increase.
Alshali explained that many Indian travelers prefer to fly to “destination” airports near their homes, thereby emphasizing the need to provide more connectivity and points in Tier 2 cities in India.
Economic Impacts
Alshali argued that increasing air connectivity would not only reduce rising ticket prices but also help boost tourism sectors and create jobs and trade between the two countries. He said, “This will encourage tourist arrivals, increase employment and create business opportunities. We aim to make everyone a winner and change the nature of the relationship with competitors for the better”.
The proposals outlined by the ambassador are aimed at creating a new and improved sustainable environment for travel to address the increasing number of travelers and the scale of fares.
Strengthening bilateral ties
Over 60 Indian startup founders, investors, UAE business leaders and policymakers participated in the UAE-India Founders Retreat to enhance business ties between the two countries.
The initiative, organised by the UAE Embassy in Delhi and the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), aims to provide multiple opportunities for collaboration and innovation across various sectors.
He encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to explore opportunities in the UAE as it will be a hub for expansion into international markets, and highlighted the importance of enhancing ties between the two countries.