UAE airfares rise up to 30% as midweek Eid Al Etihad holiday boosts travel demand

Travel and tourism experts said airfares from the UAE to several international destinations increased by up to 30% between November 28 and December 6, compared with average prices during November. The increase coincides with higher demand for travel during the Eid Al Etihad (Union Day) holiday. Its timing in the middle of the week, combined with an extended break over several days, has encouraged residents to travel, whether for tourism or to visit family and relatives. They said that the strong demand was reflected in ticket prices to a range of destinations, including Arab countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. Tourist destinations relatively close to the UAE, as well as East Asian destinations, have also seen increased demand from travellers planning holidays during this period. Ticket prices Narouz Sarkis, General Manager of Balhassa Tourism Company, said airline ticket prices had increased by around 20% compared with their levels during November. He noted that ticket prices are directly linked to supply and demand, with higher demand during holiday periods pushing up fares, particularly as the availability of lower-priced seats decreases. He added that demand during the Eid Al Etihad holiday is driven by both tourism and visits to family and relatives. Destinations relatively close to the UAE are seeing strong demand from travellers looking to take short breaks without travelling long distances. Sarkis said some travellers planned extended holidays because the Eid Al Etihad falls in the middle of the week, increasing demand for travel. He noted that the period between November 28 and December 6 is seeing a significant rise in demand for flight tickets, with bookings increasing as residents seek to take advantage of the holiday. He said demand has also increased for destinations in the Middle East, including Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, where travel is largely linked to visiting family and relatives. This has further boosted demand for flights to these markets during the holiday period. Sarkis noted that travellers have adopted different approaches when planning their trips. Some are taking advantage of the extended holiday for family travel, while others are postponing their trips until after mid-December to coincide with school holidays and organise family vacations. From left: Narouz Sarkis, General Manager of Balhassa Tourism Company, Amin Al Awadhi, General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel Company, and Alaa Al Ali, Director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel Company. Increased demand Amin Al Awadhi, General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel Company, said airfare prices had started to rise with increased demand during the Eid Al Etihad holiday period. He noted that fares to some destinations are up by about 30% compared with average prices recorded during November. He added that demand is being driven by multiple purposes, including tourism and visits to family and relatives. East Asian destinations are attracting travellers seeking holiday experiences, while Arab destinations remain popular for family visits. Al Awadhi said the timing of Eid Al Etihad this year, falling in the middle of the week and including a weekend, has given travellers the opportunity to enjoy a longer break than in some previous years. This has encouraged more residents to book trips abroad. He explained that the timing of the holiday plays an important role in travel decisions. A longer break allows travellers enough time to organise trips to more distant destinations rather than limiting themselves to nearby locations. However, some travellers have chosen to postpone family visits until the school holidays because of their children's academic commitments. Public holidays Alaa Al Ali, Director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel Company, said official holiday periods usually lead to increased demand for travel, which is reflected in ticket prices, particularly to destinations popular with UAE residents. He said the Eid Al Etihad holiday falling in the middle of the week has created an opportunity for a longer break, encouraging more people to consider travelling. Al Ali said ticket prices are influenced by booking times and seat availability. Early bookings generally provide travellers with more pricing options, while increased demand closer to the holiday reduces the availability of lower-priced seats and raises the overall cost of travel for those who delay booking. He advised travellers to plan their trips early, book tickets well in advance and compare prices. He also recommended monitoring available offers and choosing flexible travel dates to benefit from fare differences. He stressed the importance of carefully reviewing booking terms and ticket details, particularly baggage allowances and weight limits, as well as conditions relating to trip modifications, cancellations and associated fees, to avoid unexpected costs or surprises while travelling.