Dubai: Residents planning international trips after the peak summer travel season can look forward to significant savings on airfares. According to travel agents, ticket prices to popular destinations like the UK, Europe, India, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines are expected to drop by up to 50% starting September 18.
Before the price drop, airfares are expected to see a slight increase during the week of Gitex Global (October 14-18) due to increased corporate travel demand. However, after the event, fares will plummet to their lowest point since the summer peak.
Several factors are contributing to the anticipated airfare decrease:
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Return to Routine: As schools reopen and summer travel peaks subside, demand for flights is expected to decrease.
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Increased Airline Capacity: New routes and additional airline capacity will also help drive down prices.
Travel agents have revealed substantial price reductions for flights to various destinations:
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United States: Economy fares to New York City will drop from Dh6,850 to Dh8,850 during the summer to Dh3,030 in September.
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United Kingdom: Flights to London will decrease from Dh4,570 to Dh4,750 to Dh2,260.
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Asia: Fares to Bangkok, Thailand, have dropped to Dh1,597 from Dh2,906. Flights to India, such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru, are also experiencing significant price reductions.
Temporary fare increase ahead of winter
After the initial price drop, airfares are expected to rise again by around 48% in early November as the peak winter travel season approaches. However, the ongoing UAE amnesty scheme may influence outbound travel prices to some destinations.
Business travel rebound
Business travel is expected to see a healthy rebound ahead of Gitex Global, ITS World Congress, SuperBridge Summit, and Adipec in Abu Dhabi. This increase in business travel will also drive up hotel rates during these events.
Special promotions
UAE and GCC airlines have launched post-summer sales with airfares starting at Dh160 to entice travelers during the off-peak season. Oman's SalamAir, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia are among the airlines offering discounted fares.
Growth in Middle East aviation
The Middle East aviation industry has experienced remarkable growth, with countries like the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia leading the way. Increased capacity, new airlines, and advanced aircraft are expected to drive further growth and create a competitive market for consumers.