Extended Eid holidays led to sharp increase in airfares in UAE
Prices surge by nearly 400% to popular tourist destinations.
Dubai: Airfare in UAE has registered a staggering 400% increase on Eidul Fitr, leaving travellers dismayed. Many people intend to travel outside the UAE to enjoy the nine-day Eid holidays, which also coincide with school vacations, allowing many to plan extended trips abroad.
In a recent statement to an international platform, Firoz Maliyakkal, the founder and CEO of Tahira Tours and Travels, explained the reasons behind the sharp price increase for specific destinations. He cited factors such as affordability, favourable weather, ease of travel, and visa-on-arrival facilities. Due to high demand, tickets for these destinations sold out quickly, leaving only limited options available.
Libin Varghese, Operations Head at Rooh Tourism and Travel, pointed out that the extended Eid holidays and school vacations provide an excellent opportunity for families to plan flexible trips. The beautiful landscapes and pleasant weather of Caucasian countries further add to the desire to travel during this period.
Airline costs have soared, with one-way tickets to Tbilisi, Georgia, costing as much as Dh1,500 and Yerevan, Armenia, costing as much as Dh1,100, according to a study of airfares across different locations.
Flights to other popular tourist spots, such as Baku and Serbia, have also soared in price. On the other hand, airfares to Pakistan and India have stayed about the same or even increased somewhat.
In an international platform statement, Mahesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, highlights a notable surge in travel demand from the Gulf region to India during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holidays. He attributed the rise to the coinciding of extended Eid holidays to school vacations, increasing airfare prices of up to 40 to 50 per cent on specific routes.
