Dubai: With Diwali approaching, demand for flights between the UAE and India has surged, driving up airfares by as much as 50pc.

Travelers are urged to book early to avoid further price hikes. This overview delves into the key factors fueling demand, the impact on travelers, and what to anticipate in the coming weeks."

UAE’s Indian expats planning a quick trip home to Mumbai or New Delhi will be particularly hard hit, with fares already recording sharp rises compared to the off-peak rates they had from mid-September all the way to now.

The Indian festival of Diwali falls on October 31 and November 1 this year.

“India flights are packed - while this time of the year is usually busy for inbound Indian tourists to the UAE, this year's trends are exceptionally busy,” said Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing at Pluto Travels.

“Many travelers are coming from India to Dubai before the festival, with inbound traffic approaching Dhanteras and Diwali. Many more are expected to fly early next week.”

-B