UAE airlines expect illegal workers' exodus

The UAE government declared a three-month amnesty in June, but an exodus of illegal workers is expected in the coming weeks as the deadline approaches.

Indian carriers - Air India, Indian, and other regional airlines like Emirates and Etihad Airways – are offering promotions to generate sales, and some are also considering adding frequencies to accommodate the rush.

Emirates said it would slash tickets by up to 55 per cent for flights to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. "Special fares can be 22 to 55 per cent cheaper than the normal fares," Emirates said in a statement.

Etihad Airways used direct marketing to promote its discounted fares, which start at

Dh400, posting fliers at the embassies of seven countries on the subcontinent and East Asia.

Air India is offering discounted fares to five Indian cities until September two. Flights to Mumbai and Delhi cost Dh590, including taxes, with additional promotions for Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad.

"During the past few days, we have observed a bigger demand for seats to India, particularly to Kerala. This demand has prompted us to tap Air-India Express to offer additional seats so that we could accommodate the rush of passengers, especially those who have availed themselves of the amnesty," Jaishree Ramachandran, Air-India's regional manager-Dubai and Northern Emirates, said.

Air-India will operate two additional flights on August 19 and 22 to Hyderabad via Mumbai to meet the demand of amnesty-seekers.