logo
#

Latest news with #RashidAbbas

UAE airfares drop as residents opt for shorter summer trips
UAE airfares drop as residents opt for shorter summer trips

Filipino Times

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Filipino Times

UAE airfares drop as residents opt for shorter summer trips

Last-minute summer travel has become more accessible for residents of the United Arab Emirates this year, with airfares declining significantly compared to previous years. Economy-class fares from Dubai to London are now available for as low as Dh1,300 on connecting flights, a notable decrease from last year's average of Dh2,500. From Abu Dhabi, tickets to Mumbai are priced at Dh708 for travel between July 15 and 31, while some routes to destinations in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and India are being offered for as low as Dh610 to Dh800. 'We are seeing a much more manageable increase in airfares this July,' said Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels. 'Prices to several destinations are far more attractive than in the past two years.' While some European destinations still carry higher fares, ranging from Dh2,500 to Dh3,800 for direct flights, budget airlines have helped lower costs. Carriers such as Eurowings, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi offer one-way fares from Dubai to Paris for Dh2,815 and to Berlin for Dh1,860. Travel agencies say the decline in prices is being driven by changing consumer behavior. 'People are no longer travelling for one to two months at a stretch, but rather for shorter durations of two to ten days. Travellers are now returning sooner,' said Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing at Pluto Travels. Aidasani added that destinations closer to the UAE, including Azerbaijan, select Schengen countries, and parts of Africa, are becoming increasingly popular among residents looking for short-term travel options.

UAE airfares plunge: Cheap last-min flights to London, Istanbul, New York & more for as Low as Dh1,300
UAE airfares plunge: Cheap last-min flights to London, Istanbul, New York & more for as Low as Dh1,300

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

UAE airfares plunge: Cheap last-min flights to London, Istanbul, New York & more for as Low as Dh1,300

Currently, the most affordable flight from Dubai to London is priced at Dh1,300 ($354) for travel between July 15 and 31, a significant drop from last year's rates. (Representative Image) This summer, UAE residents are seeing a rare opportunity for budget-friendly travel, with affordable last-minute flight deals on offer, even during the peak months of July and August. For instance, tickets from Dubai to London are now as low as Dh1,300 ($354), a steep drop from last year's Dh2,500 ($681). Similarly, flights from Abu Dhabi to popular destinations like Mumbai are priced from Dh708 ($193), offering further savings compared to last year. Airfares See a Welcome Decrease Travel experts attribute the dip in airfares to various factors, including the easing of previous price hikes. Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels, told local media outlet Gulf News, that fares to destinations in the CIS and India have dropped to Dh610 ($166) to Dh800 ($217). He called the price reduction a much-needed relief after years of inflated ticket prices. For example, flights from Dubai to Istanbul and Cairo are priced at Dh653 ($177) and Dh1,430 ($389), respectively, offering budget-friendly options for those planning a last-minute trip. 'We're seeing a much more manageable increase in airfares this July,' Abbas noted, acknowledging the positive shift compared to the steep prices of the past two years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scientists: Tinnitus? When tinnitus won't go away, do this (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo High-Cost European Routes Still Exist However, not all destinations are seeing price drops. Direct flights to European cities like London, Barcelona, and Lisbon are still priced between Dh2,500 ($681) and Dh3,800 ($1,032), which remains out of reach for some budget-conscious travelers. Still, there are affordable alternatives. Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels, explained to local media, that while certain European routes remain expensive, budget airlines such as Eurowings, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi are offering better deals. For example, flights from Dubai to Paris on these carriers cost Dh2,815 ($766), while a ticket to Berlin is priced at Dh1,860 ($506). Even long-haul flights are seeing more reasonable prices. A direct flight from Dubai to New York, for instance, is priced at Dh2,945 ($800), a significant improvement from previous years. Last-Minute Deals: Great Bargains Under Dh2,000 ($544) Here are some of the best last-minute flight deals for travel between July 15 and 31, 2023, with tickets starting at these estimated prices as of the time of writing: From Dubai: Dubai to Tbilisi (flydubai): Dh1,300 ($354) Dubai to Istanbul (AJet): Dh653 ($177) Dubai to Chisinau, Moldova (Wizz Air Abu Dhabi): Dh538 ($146) Dubai to Cairo (Air Arabia Express): Dh1,430 ($389) Dubai to New York (United Airlines): Dh2,945 ($800) Dubai to Bangkok (Emirates): Dh3,763 ($1,024) From Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi to Yerevan (Etihad): Dh618 ($168) Abu Dhabi to Manama (Etihad): Dh415 ($113) Abu Dhabi to Muscat (Etihad): Dh485 ($132) Abu Dhabi to Istanbul (Etihad): Dh1,006 ($274) Abu Dhabi to Athens (Etihad): Dh1,635 ($445) From Sharjah: Sharjah to Istanbul (AJet): Dh706 ($192) Sharjah to Doha (Qatar Airways): Dh755 ($205) Sharjah to Tbilisi (Air Arabia): Dh1,432 ($389) From Ras Al Khaimah: RAK to Mumbai (IndiGo): Dh742 ($202) RAK to Istanbul (AJet): Dh653 ($177) Shifting Travel Habits Travel agents attribute the drop in airfares to the changing travel habits of UAE residents. Many people are now choosing to travel during off-peak months to take advantage of cheaper fares. Instead of long vacations of one or two months, travelers are opting for shorter trips of two to ten days. The trend towards shorter holidays has led to increased demand for destinations closer to the UAE, such as Azerbaijan, Schengen countries, and parts of Africa. These locations offer affordability and convenience, making them more attractive to residents seeking quick getaways. Additionally, corporate leave policies, typically no longer than 20 days, have prompted many employees to break their travel into two or three shorter trips each year. In cities like Dubai, residents often return by early August, planning future trips for winter or Diwali holidays.

UAE Summer Airfares To London, Istanbul, New York Crash - Tickets As Low As Dh1,300
UAE Summer Airfares To London, Istanbul, New York Crash - Tickets As Low As Dh1,300

Gulf Insider

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • Gulf Insider

UAE Summer Airfares To London, Istanbul, New York Crash - Tickets As Low As Dh1,300

For the first time in years, a last-minute getaway during the busy summer months of July and August is possible even for budget-conscious UAE travellers. For example, connecting Economy airfares from Dubai to London are available for a price as low as Dh1,300 – a sharp drop from the highs of Dh2,500 (one connection) from last year. Fares from Abu Dhabi to global holiday destinations are even more affordable compared to ticket prices for flights departing from Dubai International Airport. For example, tickets from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai are available for Dh708 for travel between July 15 and 31. 'We are seeing a much more manageable increase in airfares this July,' said Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels. 'In some cases, fares to some CIS and Indian destinations have dropped to lows of Dh610 to Dh800. The prices are certainly more attractive than what travellers have had to contend with in the last couple of years,' he said. Are these airfares the lowest since 2020? 'Yes and no. In some cases, the fares are dramatically low. However, to certain European destinations, travellers still need to shell out Dh2,500 to Dh3,800 for a last-minute ticket. Still, it is far lower than the prices we have been seeing since 2022, where ticket prices rose to exorbitant levels,' said Abbas. 'If you are seeking a direct flight from Dubai to London, Stockholm, Lisbon or Barcelona, fares are still in the Dh2,500 to Dh3,000 levels. However, some European destinations, especially flights operated by budget carriers (Eurowings, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi), are selling tickets from Dubai to Paris for Dh2,815, for example. Flights to Berlin are available for Dh1,860,' said Afi Ahmed, Chairman, Smart Travels. Here are some great last-minute deals for under Dh2,000 for travel from July 15 until 31 From Dubai Dubai to Tbilisi on flydubai Dh1,300 Dubai to Istanbul on AJet Dh653 Dubai to Chisinau, Moldova on Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Dh538 Dubai to Cairo on Air Arabia Express Dh1,430 Dubai to New York on United Airlines Dh2,945 Dubai to Bangkok on Emirates Dh3,763 (direct) From Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi to Yerevan on Etihad Dh618 Abu Dhabi to Manama on Etihad Dh415 Abu Dhabi to Muscat on Etihad Dh485 Abu Dhabi to Istanbul on Etihad Dh1,006 Abu Dhabi to Athens on Etihad Dh1,635 From Sharjah Sharjah to Istanbul on AJet Dh706 Sharjah to Doha on Qatar Airways Dh755 Sharjah to Tbilisi on Air Arabia for Dh1,432 From Ras Al Khaimah RAK to Mumbai on IndiGo Dh742 RAK to Istanbul on AJet Dh653 According to travel agents, one of the main reasons for the drop in fares is the changing behaviour of UAE residents when it comes to travel. 'For example, couples and bachelors usually plan their trips home during off-peak months to take advantage of cheaper airfares,' said Sapna Aidasani, Head of Marketing at Pluto Travels. 'People are no longer travelling for one to two months at a stretch, but rather for shorter durations of two to ten days. Travellers are now returning sooner.' She said the trend has changed towards shorter trips, typically a week, ten days, or fifteen days. 'On return, they break their holiday again and are opting for destinations closer to the UAE, such as Azerbaijan or Schengen nations (if visa allows). Africa is also gaining popularity. Many residents have adjusted their travel plans and are now considering destinations beyond India,' Sapna added. Moreover, corporate leaves rarely exceed twenty days, and employees prefer to break up their travel into two to three trips a year. She said Dubai residents generally prefer not to stay away from home for extended periods, usually returning by the first week of August. 'They then plan their subsequent trips during the winter or Diwali, often breaking their summer travel into two shorter holidays,' she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store