Tim Clark, president of Emirates, poses for a photograph during the opening of a new cable car crossing above the River Thames, in London, U.K
| Photo Credit:
Simon Dawson

Indian passengers unfortunately have to pay higher fares due to the non revision of air service agreement between India and Dubai, President of Emirates, Sir Tim Clark, said on Sunday.

Carriers  operate over 150 daily flights (two-way) between Dubai and India. Dubai is also the busiest international destination from India with over 4.4 million annual passengers.

However, seat capacity between the two markets as per bilateral air service agreement has been fully utilised. This means airlines from both sides are unable to add more flights.

“The more you restrict supply the higher will be the fares,” Clark said in an interaction with media on the sidelines of International Air Transport Association’s annual general meeting on Sunday.

Capacity restrictions from India

Clark said both demand and income from India are strong and blamed capacity restrictions from India for higher airfares.

“It is unfortunate that it (capacity restrictions) has effect on Indians who have to pay higher airfares,” Clark said.

Over the years, Emirates has been pitching for enhanced bilateral rights between the two countries, which is currently fixed at 65,000 seats each per week for carriers from both countries.

Emirates flies 47 daily flights (two-way) between India and Dubai. Clark said Emirates has no plans to move operations to upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports.“ If they have given us additional traffic rights then may be we think about it,” Clark said.

Published on June 1, 2025