The number of people booking air travel has risen significantly in response to the UAE easing its restrictions for passengers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Earlier on Tuesday, the UAE authorities removed the rapid COVID-19 PCR test requirement for passengers arriving in the UAE from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Since then, airfares have also increased by approximately 20-30 percent. Return flight ticket prices from various destinations including Mumbai, Delhi and Kochi have soared from Dh600 to Dh800.

According to aviation experts, lifting of travel restrictions could significantly help in improving the tourism sector in the UAE, noting that many people would be visiting Dubai for the Expo 2020 which is concluding on March 31.

Furthermore, with the school terms ending shortly, it is the right time for families to travel home for a short holiday before the new school term starts.

"These relaxed regulations could not have come at a better time,” a top official of a private Indian airline said.

Rashid Abbas, managing director of Arooha Travels, pointed out that the prices of flight tickets have also risen by a marginal amount in view of the surging travel interest. He also noted that more Indian tourists are looking forward to flying to the UAE.

"At the moment, the rise in demand is highest among those who wish to visit India on a short trip. For families, the highest enquiries are in the months of April and May, when schools are set to close for a short vacation. We are expecting demand to increase at that time,” Abbas added.

A similar rise in air travel demand is being observed from other subcontinent countries, including Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Afi Ahmed, managing director of Smart Travels, said that passengers are no longer in fear of COVID-19 and are feeling confident to travel.

"Earlier, when one member of a family would test positive for Coronavirus at the airport, the entire family would have to undergo quarantine. Now that’s not the case," he underlined.

He further expressed hope for India to add the UAE to its list of countries enjoying reciprocal relationship in terms of vaccines taken.

Industry experts are also looking forward to a rise in demand for air travel during Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr holidays starting from March 31.

SOURCE: Khaleej Times

LINK: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/travel/uae-india-flight-airfares-shot-up-by-30-as-covid-19-rules-ease