In pics: Flying out of UAE this summer? Here are the airfares for the popular destinations

Finally, after two long years, UAE residents are taking a proper summer break by flying out to their choice of holiday destinations.

The Golden Mount temple in Bangkok, Thailand. Based on travel booking sites and agents, top summer travel destinations are Thailand, the UK, Kenya, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Singapore and Maldives.

A resort in Maldives. Travel agents in Dubai say that their agencies have seen a 50% increase in the number of bookings this summer compared to the summer of '21.

The Trat province in Thailand. According to travel agents, "minimum COVID-19-related restrictions have encouraged travellers to fly this summer. One of the reasons why Thailand is doing well among UAE travellers is because it is one of the few south-east Asian cities to open for tourists with basic Covid protocols,” said Godfrey Lopez of Uranus Travels.

A beach in Phuket. This summer, ticket rates are also influencing the choice of end destination. A two-way flight to Phuket from Dubai is priced between Dh4,500 to Dh5,000, for the July 9 to 15 period.

A general view of Singapore. Ticket prices to most destinations have gone up by 30-40% since the last quarter because of the revised fuel surcharge. In the past four months, airlines have increased the surcharge twice by 30 per cent. (Fuel surcharges make up 15 to 22 per cent of a total airfare).

The skyline in Los Angeles. Alan Orong of South Travels DMCC said the fuel charge can go as high as Dh300 on a one-way flight to Los Angeles.

The Thames in London. The second most popular destination among UAE residents is the UK. A return ticket on this route will cost travellers between Dh3,400 to Dh3,800. “The UK has gained popularity among European countries simply because of the availability of visa appointments,” said Raheesh Babu of musafir.com. “Visa appointments to other countries have a waiting period of up to three months, before which the summer ends. So, people who want to experience Europe just fly to the UK.”

A general view of Georgia. Return tickets to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Serbia hover between Dh1,500 and Dh1,800 for travel between July 9 to 15.

At the Maasai Mara in Kenya. Two-way airfare to the African destination costs between Dh1,800-Dh2,000.

According to Orong, Israel is one of the top destinations among the UAE-based Filipino community. A round trip from Dubai to Tel Aviv between July 9-15 period costs between Dh2,000-Dh2,500.

A general view in Croatia. Kyrgyzstan, Croatia and Turkey also made it to the list. A round trip to these cities from Dubai costs between Dh2,000-Dh2,800.

The India Gate in New Delhi. Flight-only leisure travel bookings are also proving popular to visit friends and relatives, with top destinations including India, Egypt, and the Philippines most concentrated during the time of the anticipated Eid Al Adha break in July.

A Metro train in Kochi. Return flights from Dubai to Kochi cost a little over Dh2,800 while tickets to Mumbai and Delhi hover between Dh1,700 to Dh2,500.

Travel agents urge travellers to do web check-in three hours before the flight or get ready to pay a ‘check-in’ fine of up to Dh170. “Some airlines have check-in fines and more budget carriers could introduce the same during the summer travel rush,” said a travel agent.