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Khaleej Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Iran-Israel ceasefire: Some UAE residents resume summer travel plans as airfare dips
A slight decrease in airfares following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel has brought welcome relief to UAE residents, many of whom had postponed their summer travel plans due to safety concerns and soaring ticket prices. With stability returning to the region, families are now booking last-minute trips to their home countries, while others are opting for short staycations within the UAE. 'People who didn't book earlier are now going ahead because airfares have come down slightly after the ceasefire,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Many who didn't cancel are sticking with their plans, while those who did are rebooking. We have even seen some shift to domestic tourism — there's no longer the same stress around travel." The cancellations were due to weeks of uncertainty sparked by the conflict between Iran and Israel, which escalated dramatically after the US launched missile attacks on the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities. The conflict led to temporary airspace closures, flight diversions, and widespread concern among travelers. Many residents, especially those with children or elderly parents, decided to postpone their travel plans, fearing the situation could worsen or drag on for weeks. Airlines resume operations However, the announcement of a ceasefire and the rapid resumption of commercial flights have helped restore confidence. Major airlines resumed operations within hours of the ceasefire, and travel demand has since started to normalise. Dubai Airports announced on June 26 that the next two weeks will be exceptionally busy. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to handle over 265,000 passengers daily, with more than 3.4 million travellers passing through between June 27 and July 9. July 5 is projected to be the peak travel day. Emirates Airline also issued a summer travel advisory, estimating over 30,000 outbound passengers per day between June 26 and June 30. Safety in travel For many, the decision to travel again has hinged on timing and caution. Rahul Iyer, a Dubai-based finance professional, had initially planned a family trip to Chennai on June 30. "Once the news of the missile strikes broke out, I held off booking,' he said. "With two young children, I wasn't willing to take any risks,' he said. 'But after the ceasefire was announced and things went back to normal, I wanted to travel. Airfare prices had dipped slightly, so I rebooked for July 3. It just felt right to wait it out.' Others chose to remain in the UAE altogether, prioritising safety over travel. 'When I saw how quickly the situation was escalating, with more countries possibly getting involved, I cancelled our trip to Pakistan,' said Fatima Salim, a resident of BM Tower in Al Nahda, Sharjah. 'We have always seen how the UAE looks after its residents during emergencies, so we felt safer staying here. Maybe we'll do a staycation in Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah instead," she added. That sense of security and confidence in the UAE's crisis response is something many residents now value more than ever. 'Everything was so uncertain a few days ago. Flights were getting delayed or rerouted, and we didn't want to get stuck abroad,' said Iyer.
Khaleej Times
17-06-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE visitors urged to plan, renew visa before expiry amid flight disruptions, high demand
Visit visa holders in the UAE are being urged to be vigilant and take timely action to avoid overstaying their visas, travel agents have warned. With the summer holiday season in full swing, many flights are fully booked, airfares are rising, and ongoing flight cancellations, linked to regional airspace closures amid Iran-Israel tensions, are compounding the challenges. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said visitors who haven't planned their return or visa extension may find themselves stuck due to high demand. 'Some flights are fully booked. When visitors can't get a ticket in time, they may end up staying extra days and paying fines while exiting the country,' he said. 'We are urging visitors to act quickly and plan in advance to avoid these situations.' He added that many families have already started travelling for long summer break, especially those with children whose schools have closed for the holidays. 'Flights are filling up quickly because schools have shut. That's adding to the rush,' he said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Some flights canceled or delayed While the UAE has seen fewer flight cancellations compared to other countries in the region, some delays and cancellations have been reported. ' Flights from cities in India and other parts of the Middle East have been delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing regional tensions,' Subair said. 'Visitors should plan ahead to avoid disruptions.' 'UAE is safe and stable' Despite the situation, travel industry experts say the UAE remains one of the safest places in the region. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said visitors continue to trust the UAE's leadership and prefer to stay here. "People have confidence in the government here. All we ask is that visitors don't wait until the last few days of their visa to act," he said. "If you're looking to renew or extend your visa, plan it at least 20 days in advance." He added that travel agents are seeing an increase in visa extension inquiries. 'We have many requests from nationals of countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and others in the Middle East, as travel is affected by the closure of some airspaces.' What can travellers do now? Experts recommend the following steps: 'Whether flying into or out of the UAE, visitors and residents should check for delays or cancellations before heading to the airport,' Aidasani said.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
2 months' salary on one trip? UAE residents hit by 300% surge in flight tickets
As summer travel demand surges, many UAE residents could find themselves spending up to two months' salary just to fly home, with airfares to popular destinations skyrocketing, according to travel experts. Ticket prices to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have surged by up to 300 per cent compared to off-peak months, and families are feeling the pinch. "An employee earning Dh5,000 to Dh7,000 a month may have to spend Dh10,000 to Dh14,000 just for return air tickets for a family of four," said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. "That is up to two months salary gone before you even land." Even for those earning Dh15,000 monthly, a summer trip could eat up their entire salary. "If someone is flying out with their spouse and two kids, they are looking at return fares of Dh12,000 to Dh14,000 for direct flights to Indian cities," said Subair. "Budget carriers, which usually offer relief for many residents taking short flights, are also selling seats for over Dh10,000 for a family of four," added Subair. According to a Khaleej Times analysis, return airfares on budget airlines from the UAE to major Indian cities during the peak summer now range between Dh2,100 and Dh2,800. A round-trip ticket to Mumbai on Air India Express is priced at Dh2,250, while a return fare to Kochi on IndiGo shows around Dh2,650. Similarly, flights to Delhi on budget airlines are averaging about Dh2,450. Similarly, return airfares from the UAE to Cairo are currently affordable. A round-trip from Dubai to Cairo on EgyptAir is available for approximately Dh1,200. Similarly, Air Arabia offers return tickets on the same route starting at around Dh1,300. According to travel agents, some one-way tickets to Indian cities were available for under Dh500 a month ago. Today, fares for the same routes in early June have shot up to Dh1,500, a threefold jump. For return travel in August, prices are crossing Dh1,400. "Prices to almost all eastern destinations have doubled, and we are seeing similar trends for Europe and the Philippines," Subair added. "Airfares have started climbing steeply from June 5 onwards," said Mir Waseem Raja, manager at Galadari International Travel Services. "This is mainly because the Eid Al Adha holidays coincide with the school summer break this year. The combination of both has created a surge in travel demand, pushing prices up." "The demand is so high that many flights on popular routes are already fully booked, especially for South Asian countries. Even seats on budget carriers are being booked quickly, leaving limited options for last-minute travellers," added Raja. Destinations like Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Lahore are seeing the steepest increases. "Round tickets that used to cost Dh700 to Dh1,000 are now over Dh2,500," said Subair. Travel aggregators said that fares to North America have remained relatively stable due to more routing options and layovers. "There are several budget-friendly options for travelling to the US and Canada, like layovers in Europe. We can also see a surge in airfare to even some European cities," said Subair.
