International passengers flying to the UAE from India could make substantial savings on airfare by postponing their journey until mid-September, with fares on several major routes expected to fall sharply as the peak summer travel rush subsides.

The decline could be particularly significant for families from coastal Karnataka and Kerala, where thousands of expatriates return to the Gulf after spending their summer holidays with relatives. Travellers with flexibility in their return dates could save more than ₹30,000 on a family’s one-way journey, depending on the route and ticket availability.

A comparison of the lowest available direct economy fares from six major Indian cities showed a substantial difference between late-August and mid-September travel. The average lowest fare across the routes fell from around Dh2,089 for August 30 to about Dh894 for September 13, a decline of nearly 57 per cent.

The sharpest fall was recorded on the Bengaluru–UAE route, which is particularly relevant to passengers from Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts who use Bengaluru as a major alternative airport.

The cheapest direct fare from Bengaluru was around Dh2,513 for August 30, but dropped to approximately Dh914 for September 13. This represents a saving of nearly Dh1,600 (around ₹39,000) on a one-way ticket.

Fares from Delhi fell from around Dh2,227 to Dh825 over the same period, while passengers travelling from Kochi could save more than Dh1,200 by choosing the later date.

Kerala and coastal Karnataka routes see strong demand

The easing of fares is significant for the large NRI population from coastal Karnataka and Kerala, where air travel to the UAE remains heavily concentrated around the summer holiday period.

From Kochi, the lowest direct fare fell from around Dh2,272 on August 30 to Dh1,057 on September 13 — a reduction of more than 53 per cent.

Similarly, fares from Kozhikode, another major gateway for Gulf-bound passengers from Kerala and parts of coastal Karnataka, dropped from approximately Dh2,285 to Dh1,070.

The difference means that passengers from either city could save more than Dh1,200 (around ₹30,000) on a one-way ticket by travelling in mid-September instead of at the end of August, based on fares available during the comparison.

For a family of four, the saving could therefore run into several thousand dirhams.

Why are fares falling?

Travel industry representatives said the sharp decline is linked to the gradual end of the summer return rush.

The period immediately before schools reopen in the UAE traditionally sees heavy demand as expatriate families return from India after their annual holidays. Many passengers prefer to travel before the beginning of the academic and working year, pushing up fares during late August and early September.

According to travel industry sources, demand is expected to remain relatively strong until around September 10. Once the rush eases, airlines are likely to have more seats available, putting downward pressure on fares.

Travellers who can adjust their return dates could therefore benefit from postponing their journey by one or two weeks.

For passengers from Mangaluru and other parts of coastal Karnataka, the Bengaluru fare trend is particularly noteworthy.

Although Mangaluru International Airport offers direct connectivity to several Gulf destinations, Bengaluru remains an important alternative for passengers seeking more flight options or lower fares. A significant fare gap can make the longer journey to Bengaluru worthwhile for some families, particularly when travelling in groups.

However, passengers should also factor in the additional cost and time involved in travelling from coastal Karnataka to Bengaluru before deciding whether the lower airfare represents an actual saving.

Fares could rise again later

Travel agents have cautioned passengers against assuming that the lower fares will continue indefinitely.

After the summer rush, demand is expected to increase again as the UAE enters its busy events and tourism season. Dubai’s major events calendar and the arrival of cooler weather are likely to bring more international visitors from October onwards.

The UAE’s winter tourism season could put renewed pressure on airfares towards the end of October and during the following months.

For NRIs planning their return to the UAE, the current period could therefore offer a relatively narrow window for securing cheaper tickets.

Travellers with flexible schedules may benefit from comparing different dates rather than booking immediately for the last few days of August. However, airfare availability and prices can change rapidly, and the cheapest fares may come with restrictions on baggage, refunds or changes.

For families returning from Karnataka and Kerala to the UAE, travelling after the peak summer rush could potentially mean savings of more than ₹1 lakh on return travel for a family, depending on the number of passengers and the route chosen.