Thousands of travellers in the UAE could face reduced flight options and higher ticket prices this summer after Air India and IndiGo scaled back operations amid rising aviation fuel costs linked to escalating tensions involving Iran.

The operational cuts come during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when large numbers of Indian expatriates living across the Gulf region travel home for school holidays, family visits and onward international journeys.

According to news sources, IndiGo has reduced between seven and 10 per cent of its planned domestic services for June and July, while Air India has cut roughly 22 per cent of scheduled domestic flights during the same period.

The reductions are likely to tighten seat availability further and maintain elevated airfare levels across several popular routes during the summer rush.

Air India confirmed that it had temporarily adjusted operations on selected domestic sectors between June and August due to the financial impact of higher fuel prices. The increase in jet fuel costs has been linked to instability surrounding regional tensions.

The reductions in flights are expected to particularly affect passengers travelling from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah who rely on Indian hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai for connecting flights to smaller cities or onward international destinations.

The impact may also extend to UAE residents who frequently use Indian airports as cost-effective transit points for flights to other global destinations, particularly as Air India has already suspended or reduced several long-haul international services through August.