Kerala polls trigger surge in flight fares as UAE-based Indians spend up to ₹3 lakh to return home

Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are paying between ₹2 lakh and ₹3 lakh for flight tickets to Kerala as demand surges ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

According to reports, the spike in fares has been driven by a combination of increased travel demand and limited seat availability on flights connecting major UAE cities to Kerala. Many expatriates are travelling back home specifically to cast their votes in the elections.

Travel agents and industry sources said that ticket prices on routes such as Dubai to Kochi and Dubai to Thiruvananthapuram have risen sharply in recent days. In some cases, last-minute bookings have pushed fares to exceptionally high levels, significantly above normal pricing.

United Arab Emirates hosts a large number of Indian expatriates, many of whom hail from Kerala. Elections in the state typically see a rise in travel from Gulf countries, but this year’s surge has been particularly steep.

Passengers reported paying premium prices due to urgency and limited options. Some travellers said they had to book indirect or multi-leg flights, further increasing overall travel costs.

The current increase has been described by travellers as unusually high, with ticket prices reaching levels that are often associated with emergency travel.

With a large number of expatriates planning to return within a short window, available seats have been quickly filled, resulting in higher prices for remaining tickets.

Kerala has a significant diaspora population in the Gulf region, and participation in elections from overseas voters remains an important aspect of the state’s political process. While there is no provision for remote voting for most expatriates, many choose to travel back to exercise their franchise.

The surge in ticket prices has also highlighted the challenges faced by overseas voters who must incur substantial expenses to participate in elections. Despite the high costs, many expatriates consider voting a priority and are willing to bear the financial burden.