Ind vs Pak Cricket Match
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The ICC Champions Trophy India vs Pakistan cricket match is taking place at the Dubai International Stadium, and this highly anticipated event has led to a significant surge in airfares to the UAE. Return economy airfares, which typically range from Dh900 to Dh1,200 during the off-season, have increased to Dh1,600–Dh2,021, according to travel agents. The primary reason for this price surge is the boost in inbound traffic for the match, which is one of the most hyped rivalries in sport.
As the match falls on a Sunday, it encourages travelers to fly in for the weekend, further straining seat availability. After a long winter of high fares, ticket rates on the hyper-busy India-UAE routes were seeing significant drops to around or under Dh1,000 for Economy during January and early February. However, return Economy fares from Lahore, Pakistan, to Dubai, which usually hover in the Dh920 to Dh1,000 range, have shot up to Dh1,677 this weekend. Travel experts say that February has been a busy travel month, with winter break tourists, business travelers, and event attendees driving up demand.
The UAE regularly hosts large-scale exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs that attract international visitors, leading to increased air traffic. The International Cricket Council (ICC) reported that tickets sold out within minutes, and the match will take place at the Dubai International Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators but is expandable to accommodate 30,000 spectators. A majority of the demand comes from the luxury category of travelers, according to Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels.
Ahmed said that high-profile business executives, celebrities, and VIPs may be booking premium-class tickets, increasing overall demand. With the cricket match drawing high-net-worth individuals, chartered flights and private jets may also be in demand, indirectly affecting commercial flight pricing. The prices for Economy seats are still slightly higher than February-base rates, but it is not that seats are unavailable. Even those willing to take a last-minute flight into Dubai can avail themselves of tickets. From Lahore to Dubai, return Economy flight tickets are currently Dh1,677 compared to the lows of Dh920 reported a few weeks ago.
Here are some of the current airfare prices:
- Lahore to Dubai: Dh1,677
- Saudi Arabia to Dubai: Dh2,917 (flynas)
- Bahrain to Dubai: Dh1,009 (flydubai)
- Doha to Dubai: Dh1,412
- Kuwait City to Dubai: Dh765 to Dh1,025
- London Heathrow to Dubai: Dh8,940 (British Airways)
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