The inbound UAE airfares almost double ahead of school openings later this month as families return to the country after extended summer breaks. This surge in airfares is primarily driven by the increased demand and limited flight availability during this peak travel period. Most UAE schools are set to reopen around August 26, prompting families to plan their return a few days prior. Travel agents in Dubai have noted a significant rise in airfares on routes from destinations across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, with the Indian subcontinent routes experiencing the most substantial increase due to the high number of South Asian nationals living in the UAE.
Data has shown that airfares on Indian routes rise by over 50 per cent amid the back-to-school rush, particularly from Mumbai and Kerala. Some routes even witness airfares nearly doubling during this peak season. The exorbitant rates from India to the UAE have also been highlighted in the Indian parliament, with calls for an increase in seating capacity between the two countries to meet the rising demand. Rashida Zahid, vice-president of operations at Musafir.com, attributes the surge in airfares to the influx of expatriate families returning to the UAE, especially as children prepare to start a new academic year.
During peak travel periods, airfares tend to increase across various regions, with the Indian subcontinent experiencing the most dramatic price hikes. However, Europe and the Middle East see more moderate fare increases as many travellers opt for round trips and can adjust their travel dates to avoid peak periods. TP Sudheesh, general manager of Deira Travel and Tourist Agency, notes that August 15 to early September historically marks the peak of the peak seasons for inbound travel to the UAE, with high demand on routes from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Africa.
While inbound airfares are not expected to drop overnight, they are anticipated to gradually decline over the course of a week or so, especially from the first week of September onwards. This decline in airfares is attributed to the back-to-school rush subsiding and demand stabilizing. Families traveling to Europe for an extended period are also expected to return to the UAE later in the month, mirroring a similar trend in airfare reduction. Overall, the influx of returning expatriates, combined with limited flight availability, drives up ticket prices during this peak travel period leading up to the school openings in August.
