How to beat soaring UAE airfares ahead of school reopening

Dubai: With less than a week to go until schools reopen on August 25, UAE residents returning from their summer holidays are facing a sharp increase in inbound airfares, with some routes seeing prices more than double compared to the more affordable travel period in July.

This dramatic surge has effectively closed the door on any last-minute getaways UAE residents may have been planning. The prices for flights to the UAE from popular summer destinations have skyrocketed as residents rush to return for the start of the new academic year.

This trend is exacerbated by airlines adjusting their capacity to meet the unprecedented demand.

A quick check of flight data reveals a dramatic shift in the travel landscape. For example, a return economy fare from London to Dubai, which was available for as low as Dh1,300 with a connection in July, is now a staggering Dh6,321 for travel between August 18 and 24.

A direct flight from London to Dubai, which was priced in the manageable Dh2,500 to Dh3,000 range in early summer, has also seen a significant increase. The price disparity is evident across the board. Inbound flights from Mumbai are now Dh1,600, while the outbound fare is Dh1,195.

This trend of inbound flights being significantly more expensive is consistent on other key routes:

The massive price hike has been attributed to a combination of factors. The primary driver is the peak travel period as the mass return of expatriate families collides with a limited number of available seats.
“If you were seeking a direct flight from Dubai to London, Stockholm, Lisbon or Barcelona, fares were still in the Dh2,500 to Dh3,000 levels earlier. However, some European destinations, especially flights operated by budget carriers, were selling tickets from Dubai to Paris for Dh2,815, for example. Flights to Berlin were available for Dh1,860,” according to Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels.

“The last-minute rush has pushed prices up. The increased demand and limited flight availability during peak travel periods inevitably drive up ticket prices,” he added.

On Thursday, Dubai International (DXB) announced it is gearing up for a busy end to the summer holidays, with families returning from vacation and students travelling back to Dubai ahead of the new academic year. Between August 13 and 25, DXB is expected to welcome over 3.6 million passengers, with daily averages reaching approximately 280,000.

Experts advise travellers to plan far in advance to avoid these price shocks. Booking months ahead can secure fares that are a fraction of the current cost. For those who missed the window, some relief may be on the way.

“We anticipate a gradual decrease in inbound UAE airfares following the initial peak late August,” said one travel agent.

“Travellers can expect a remarkable drop in prices from the first week of September onwards, as the back-to-school rush subsides and demand stabilizes.”

For future trips, travellers can also consider flying into alternative airports in the UAE or neighbouring emirates and be flexible with their travel dates to find better deals.