UAE Travelers See Unprecedented Airfare Surge Ahead of Eid Al Fitr

UAE residents planning to travel during Eid Al Fitr, Spring Break, or summer holidays are facing a major increase in flight prices. Airfares to popular destinations like India, the UK, Europe, and the US have gone up by 30-50%. This surge in ticket prices is expected to last until at least the end of August. Travel experts advise booking flights as early as possible to avoid paying even higher fares later.

Why Are Airfares Rising?

A closer look at airfare trends from major online travel agencies (OTAs) shows that multiple reasons are driving these high prices. The main factors include:

• Increased demand: Many people are traveling during Eid and school vacations.

• Limited airline capacity: Fewer flights are available compared to past years.

• Aircraft delivery delays: Airlines are struggling to get new planes due to manufacturing setbacks.

Business travel, which usually drops by around 30% during Ramadan, is also expected to pick up after the fasting period ends. Many business travelers will combine work trips with family vacations, adding to the high demand and keeping fares elevated.

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Relief on the Way

There is some good news for travelers. Airlines are working to control rising ticket prices by adding more flights and launching new routes. As a result, airfare prices should start decreasing later in the year.

For example:

• Flights to New York, which now cost between Dh6,850 and Dh8,850, are expected to drop to around Dh3,030 by September.

• London fares, currently at Dh4,500, may decrease to about Dh2,260.

Current Airfare Estimates

For UAE travelers flying between March 31 and April 10, round-trip ticket prices to key destinations are as follows:

• Rome, Italy – Dh3,800 to Dh4,800

• Zurich, Switzerland – Dh4,000 to Dh5,000

• Bangkok, Thailand – Dh2,500 to Dh3,500

• Delhi, India – Dh1,200 to Dh1,500

• Mumbai, India – Dh1,100 to Dh1,400

• Kochi, India – Dh1,000 to Dh1,300

• Tbilisi, Georgia – Dh1,800 to Dh2,200

• Yerevan, Armenia – Dh1,700 to Dh2,100

A Global Aircraft Shortage

One of the biggest challenges facing airlines today is the delay in aircraft deliveries. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that there is currently a backlog of 17,000 aircraft orders worldwide. At the current rate of production, it could take up to 14 years to clear these pending orders.

Initially, aircraft manufacturers planned to deliver 2,293 new planes by 2025. However, that estimate has now been lowered to just 1,802 deliveries. This shortage is making it harder for airlines to expand and meet the growing travel demand.

For now, UAE residents should plan ahead and book their flights early to avoid paying even higher prices. While relief is on the horizon, the current situation means airfare prices will likely remain high in the coming months.