UAE Residents Face Sharp Rise in Ticket Prices for Long UAE Union Day Weekend
As the long-awaited UAE Union Day weekend approaches, residents with travel plans are facing significantly higher flight ticket prices, with increases ranging from 15-30% compared to September fares, whether they are traveling to destinations in India, the US, Asia, or Europe.
The spike in ticket rates, particularly for certain destinations, has been drastic, with some ticket prices doubling compared to the off-peak phase just a month ago. For instance, return Economy airfares for travel from November 28 to December 3 now average Dh1,482 (Dubai to Mumbai) to Dh3,805 (Dubai to London), compared to Dh875 to Dh2,530 in September.
Popular South Asian destinations such as Bangkok and Tokyo have also seen a surge in ticket prices compared to post-summer lows. Furthermore, ticket rates experienced an additional spike after UAE authorities announced that the UAE Union Day weekend will include Monday, December 4, adding to the demand for flights.
The most significant rate hikes have occurred for flights to most airports in India and the United States, with some routes seeing an additional 10-15% increase as the Christmas and New Year breaks approach.
Despite the surge in prices, fares to certain European destinations have remained stable. Shanawaz Khan, founder of Trips Away, stated that persistent delays in Schengen visa appointments from the UAE are compelling travelers to defer their European holiday plans until well after January 10, 2024, which is still off-peak by European holiday standards.
Additionally, due to the long stretch of the UAE Union Day holidays over Saturday to Monday, some travelers, especially families, are postponing their trips to avoid the peak rates during the break. Many are looking at local staycations or trips to nearby destinations, particularly after December 9, to coincide with the winter school break.
To save on high costs, travelers are opting for group and custom travel packages from travel agencies. There is significant demand for group travel packages among families and young couples, particularly for destinations like Maldives and nearby locations like Georgia and Armenia.
For their December vacation plans, many travelers are choosing connecting flights instead of direct flights, extending their holiday days by one to two days to save on time and costs. As ticket prices continue to soar for popular destinations, travelers are exploring alternative options to make the most out of their long holiday weekend.
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