Airfares between the UAE and India are climbing quickly as residents rush to book tickets for the upcoming winter school holidays. With most schools following the September calendar, the winter break will run from December 8 to January 4, 2026, lasting four weeks instead of the usual three.
Travel agencies report that many families are planning to combine the holidays with the UAE National Day weekend, extending their vacations to almost five weeks. The surge in early bookings has intensified demand on one of the world’s busiest routes, sending fares steadily upward.
“The UAE-India route is extremely price-sensitive during school holidays,” said Safeer Mahmood, General Manager at Smart Travels. “Families are booking early to secure better deals, but prices remain higher than usual.” Industry experts note that while seasonal increases are expected, the current hike is sharper due to strong demand and limited seat capacity.
Return economy fares from Dubai to Mumbai now average around Dh 1,215 for travel between November 28 and January 3, compared to about Dh 830 during off-peak months. Tickets to southern Indian destinations such as Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram range from Dh 1,200 to Dh 1,400, up from typical shoulder-season rates of Dh 800 to Dh 1,000.
Agents warn that the adjustment of flight schedules by Air India Express, including possible cuts to some Kerala routes, could further tighten capacity. “Winter demand for Kerala is always strong, especially during Christmas and New Year,” said Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels. “We’ve already seen fares rise by nearly 40 percent.”
Smaller tier-two cities are experiencing even sharper jumps. Flights to Udaipur are now priced near Dh 2,944, while fares to Bhopal, Ahmedabad, and Vishakhapatnam range between Dh 1,900 and Dh 2,200.
Travel advisers urge residents to book early to secure reasonable prices and preferred dates. With long holidays ahead and airline capacity limited, higher fares are expected to persist through December and may ease only after the New Year rush subsides.
