Air travel demand in UAE increases, causing ticket prices to significantly soar as the summer vacation approaches its end.
Rising Airfares as Summer Holidays Draw to a Close in the UAE
As the summer holidays reach their conclusion and schools prepare to reopen on August 25, a surge in demand for flights returning to the UAE has led to a significant increase in airfares.
Senior Correspondent SM Ayaz Zakir, who often ventures into remote corners of the UAE to capture compelling news and human interest stories, reports that ticket prices on many routes have gone up sharply. In some cases, fares have nearly doubled compared to earlier in August.
One example of this trend is the Beirut-Dubai ticket, which cost Dh1,751 on August 15. By later this month, the same ticket is priced at Dh2,144 on FlyDubai and Dh2,803 on Emirates. From Egypt's Sohag, a ticket that was Dh931 on August 15 now costs at least Dh1,387 between August 21-25.
The rise is less steep from the UK, with London to Dubai fares going from Dh1,321 to Dh1,456. However, the average ticket price from India is over Dh2,000, and from Pakistan Dh1,500. The cheapest direct flight to Dubai on Emirates is currently about Dh1,300, compared to around Dh2,468 for a direct flight from Mumbai in the third week of August. Layover flights from many sectors in India that cost about Dh1,000 are now priced at over Dh1,500 in the later days of the month.
The high demand for flights returning to the UAE is primarily driven by several key factors. The end of the summer holidays coincides with the start of the new school year, leading to a surge in demand as families and students rush to return to the UAE to be prepared for the new academic year. Families prefer to return early to avoid last-minute price surges and to ensure they are settled before school begins, which further increases demand for flights.
Airlines adjust their flight capacities to meet the increased demand, which can contribute to higher prices due to supply and demand dynamics. The end of summer holidays typically sees a return of travelers to their homes, leading to increased passenger traffic through airports like Dubai International. Regional demand, particularly from India, Pakistan, and Europe, also experiences significant price hikes due to the high volume of travelers returning to the UAE.
For those who haven't booked their flights yet, it is advised to either return now or wait until after the first week of September, when fares may drop. Nearly all last-minute bookings are getting filled, and there have been no updates on extra flights being put to service. Air India Express flights are the cheapest compared to other airlines, but they are also flying nearly full capacity.
In conclusion, the high demand for flights returning to the UAE as the summer holidays conclude is causing a significant increase in airfares. Travelers are advised to plan ahead and book their flights as early as possible to avoid last-minute price surges.
- As summer holidays end and people return home,a surge in demand for flights has caused an increase in airfares, particularly on routes to the UAE,with prices nearly doubling in some cases.
- The high demand for flights is primarily driven by the start of the new school year and families rushing to get back to the UAE, as well as regional demand from India, Pakistan, and Europe.
- For those who haven't booked their flights yet, it is advised to either return now or wait until after the first week of September to avoid last-minute price surges, as nearly all last-minute bookings are getting filled.
