DUBAI: Airfares to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from India, parts of Pakistan, London, GCC nations, and other global cities have reached record highs this weekend.
Typically ranging between Dh900 and Dh1,200 during off-peak seasons, return economy airfares have now surged to Dh1,600–Dh2,021.
The sharp rise is attributed to the increase in inbound traffic for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy India vs Pakistan cricket match on Sunday, February 23.
High-season price hike
Following a prolonged period of elevated ticket prices during winter, travel costs on busy India-UAE routes had seen a dip to around Dh1,000 in early February. However, with the upcoming match, return economy fares from Lahore, Pakistan, to Dubai have spiked to Dh1,677. The surge in demand has also impacted flights from major Indian cities to Dubai, with prices climbing significantly.
February remains an active travel month due to winter break tourism, business travellers, and attendees of major events such as Gulfood and the Dubai International Boat Show. This past week saw a further escalation in fares by at least 25-30 percent, particularly on routes between India, Pakistan, and the UAE, as the cricket match approaches.
Cricket’s impact on air travel
Dubai frequently hosts large-scale events, leading to fluctuations in airfares. The ICC has confirmed that tickets for the upcoming clash sold out within minutes. The Dubai International Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 25,000, is expected to accommodate an expanded audience of 30,000 for this high-stakes fixture.
Luxury travellers and charter demand
A significant portion of the demand comes from high-net-worth individuals, including business executives, celebrities, and VIPs. This category of travellers is contributing to increased demand for premium-class tickets. The popularity of chartered flights and private jets for last-minute travel is also impacting commercial ticket prices. Despite the surge, economy seats remain available, though at elevated rates.
Flight prices soar
Return economy tickets from Lahore to Dubai, which previously hovered around Dh920, have now risen to Dh1,677. Inbound fares from Saudi Arabia have also peaked, with budget carrier flynas offering tickets for Dh2,917 for travel between February 23 and 25, compared to Dh500 earlier in the month. Bahrain to Dubai flights on flydubai are priced at Dh1,009, which remains within the usual range.
Flights from Doha to Dubai have climbed to Dh1,412 from previous lows of Dh1,000. Kuwait City to Dubai fares now range between Dh765 and Dh1,025, a significant increase from Dh480 earlier in February.
For those flying in from London Heathrow, last-minute fares have reached Dh8,940 on British Airways. Abu Dhabi-bound flights offer a slightly more affordable option, with London to Abu Dhabi tickets priced at Dh7,245 on Etihad Airways. Delhi to Abu Dhabi flights on IndiGo now cost Dh2,749, while Lahore to Abu Dhabi fares have climbed to Dh3,242 on Etihad. Karachi to Abu Dhabi tickets are available at Dh3,036, marking a steep increase from average rates.
As the cricket match draws closer, fans continue to explore all available travel options to attend the game. Many who missed out on match tickets are still opting to travel to Dubai to experience the atmosphere of one of cricket’s biggest rivalries.