Airfares in the UAE are expected to rise due to a shortage of seats caused by delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing. This shortage of seats could limit airlines’ capacity to increase the number of seats during the busy summer season. Demand for travel increases significantly during summer, as expatriate residents in the UAE travel back to their home countries or to cooler destinations in Europe. This surge in demand leads to an increase in airfares to certain destinations during this period.
Ross Veitch, CEO of Wego, a flight booking app, mentioned that there are supply constraints on the air side due to delays in aircraft deliveries. He advised travelers to book their flights soon to avoid potential capacity constraints and rising prices during the summer season. While airfares are expected to increase globally, Veitch believes that the increase may not be as significant as in previous years when aircraft had to be parked in the desert and pilots had to undergo recertification.
Both Airbus and Boeing have been facing delays in deliveries of new aircraft, leading to concerns among airlines about the impact on their expansion plans and fleet refurbishment. Top executives at Emirates have expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing for the delays, which have affected their ability to open new routes and upgrade their existing fleet. Despite these challenges, demand for popular holiday destinations is on the rise, with locations like the Maldives, USA, Thailand, Turkey, and the UK being the most preferred choices for UAE residents during the summer of 2024.
dnata Travel revealed that bookings to the Maldives have increased by 108% between June and September 2024 compared to the same period last year, driven by the opening of new hotels. The USA has also emerged as one of the top three destinations for summer travel from the UAE, reflecting a growing interest in exploring new locations. According to Meerah Ketait, head of retail and leisure UAE at dnata Travel, travelers are increasingly opting for international destinations, with 65% of bookings being for abroad trips and 35% for staycations in the UAE.
As the summer season progresses, dnata Travel is experiencing a surge in bookings for Eid al-Adha, with a 40% increase in travel bookings compared to the wider summer months. Travelers are exploring a variety of new locations across popular hotspots, with destinations like the Maldives, Thailand, Turkey, the UK, and the USA attracting significant interest. The trend of exploring new destinations and experiencing different landscapes and attractions is driving the demand for travel among UAE residents. Overall, travelers are advised to book their flights early to secure seats and avoid potential price increases during the peak summer season.
