UAE–India Airfares Surge Up to 25% as Demand Outpaces Supply; Route Ranked World’s 5th Busiest

Dubai, UAE – February 2026: Airfares between the UAE and India are rising faster than other major international routes, with ticket prices increasing by up to 25% during peak travel seasons, according to UAE travel industry executives.

The UAE–India air corridor, now ranked the world’s fifth busiest route, is offering 2.08 million seats in February 2026, according to aviation data provider OAG. Despite repeated calls from the travel sector to expand capacity, negotiations between the two countries have yet to produce additional seat allocations.

UAE–India Route Among World’s Busiest

The India–UAE corridor remains one of the most critical global air routes. In March 2025, it ranked sixth busiest with 2.3 million seats, before moving up to fifth place this month.

The UAE–India and UAE–Saudi Arabia routes are both listed among the world’s top 20 busiest air corridors in terms of seat capacity in February 2026.

However, industry leaders say that demand continues to outpace supply, particularly during:

• Summer holidays

• School vacation periods

• Major festive seasons

This imbalance is pushing ticket prices significantly higher compared to other destinations.

Airfare Increases Higher Than UK and Saudi Routes

According to industry data:

• UAE–India fares rise 15–25% during peak seasons

• UAE–Saudi Arabia fares increase 8–12%

• UAE–UK fares fluctuate between 10–18%

Imtiaz Hussain, CEO of UAEVisaTravel.com (part of Pinoy Tourism), said the UAE–India corridor experiences sharper fare spikes due to higher passenger volumes and limited seat availability.

“The UAE–India corridor operates on a bulk-demand model. India drives volume due to frequent family travel and short-term visits, while the UK market delivers higher margins per booking,” Hussain said.

Demand Outpacing Capacity Since 2022

Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, said airfares on the India sector have increased by approximately 10–15% since 2022, largely due to seasonal capacity constraints and major travel events.

He noted that:

• The UAE–India route remains the largest market by passenger volume

• The UAE–Saudi corridor is currently showing faster percentage growth

• The UAE–UK route remains stable and largely seasonal

Despite fare increases, the India corridor continues to be one of the most competitive and high-volume routes globally.

Why UAE–India Fares Keep Rising

Travel experts cite three main reasons:

1. High expatriate population driving constant travel demand

2. Limited seat expansion despite repeated industry requests

3. Strong repeat and family-based travel patterns

With no immediate capacity increase in sight, airfare volatility is expected to continue during peak seasons in 2026.

Credits to KHALEEJ TIMES