UAE-London fares at record low - and not just because it's off-season

Dubai: Now would be a good time to make a trip to London, as fares between UAE and the UK drop to ‘record low’ levels. Return tickets are now available for just Dh900 and going up to Dh2,360 for flights from February 12 to 25).

Direct Economy class tickets from Dubai to London are at Dh2,360 (on British Airways), and connecting flights (Etihad Airways and Wizz Air) average Dh961. The fares have dropped at least 128% compared to the December highs of Dh4,445.

This dramatic drop follows the implementation of the next phase of the UK’s ETA system. The ETA is an advance travel permission required from foreign nationals who intend to visit or transit the UK without a visa.

“There has been a significant change after the (next phase of) ETA was introduced on January 8, particularly for travelers from historically visa-exempt countries,” said Zahara D’souza at Travel Counsellors.

What’s happening to the ETA?

The UK is phasing in its ETA system. Applications opened for most GCC travelers in the last two years. The UK government extended the system to eligible non-European nationals last year, and eligible European nationals can apply on March 5.

“It is still early to conclusively state that the ETA is the main reason for the drop in the airfares,” said Basheer Mohammed of Europe Travels. “This time of the year is also off-season for UK-UAE travel. But ticket rates between London and UAE have reduced considerably because of increased flight frequencies between UAE and the UK.”

Fares to other destinations in the UK are in the Dh2,960 to Dh3,090 range.

Last-minute bookings

Does the ETA make it easy for last-minute travelers? According to Ben Murtagh, General Manager of Usturiun Luxury Travel, the average processing time for an ETA is three working days from application to approval.

“This can impact extremely last-minute bookings,” said Murtagh. “Sometimes, the approval is on the same day, so it can fluctuate. Once approved, it lasts two years, and you can travel as required.”

The introduction of the ETA system has also added an additional layer of planning for travelers who could earlier travel to the UK without a visa, according to Abhishek Dadlani, CEO of Lushescapes.

“The ETA system has introduced an additional step that impacts last-minute and short-haul travel bookings to the UK, making spontaneous trips less feasible,” added Dadlani. “This has sparked a shift in travel behaviour, with travelers now planning their UK trips further in advance, often opting for longer stays.”

According to Dadlani, destinations within the Schengen area, such as France, Italy, and Spain, remain more attractive to travelers, as they still allow visa-exempt entry without pre-authorisation.

“As a result, weekend getaways and last-minute business trips to London may see a decline, with travelers increasingly opting for European destinations with fewer entry requirements and greater convenience for quick trips,” he said.

Has ETA raised travel budgets?

The ETA fee represents a direct cost that travelers must now consider when budgeting for their UK trip. “While the fee may appear modest on its own, for families and groups, particularly those who travel frequently, it can accumulate,” said Dadlani.

“When comparing travel costs, especially for those visiting multiple European destinations, the UK’s added fee stands out in contrast to the more seamless entry into Schengen countries, making it a point of consideration for travellers when choosing their destination.”

The necessity of ETA approval before travel introduces potential delays that can lead to additional costs. Travel agents explained that unexpected issues with ETA approval may require changes to flights, rebooking fees, or even hotel cancellations, increasing the overall travel expenditure.