Planning a post-summer trip? UAE airfares poised to 'crash' in September – a steal for travellers

Dubai: As the last of the summer holidaymakers and returning residents touch down in the UAE, travel agents are reporting a significant drop in airfares after August 30.

Industry experts and travel agents confirm that with school holidays over and peak travel demand subsiding, September is shaping up to be a perfect ‘shoulder season’ for a spontaneous, budget-friendly getaway. Shoulder season refers to the period between a destination’s high and low tourist seasons.

The mass return of families for the new academic year creates a natural lull in outbound travel, leading airlines to slash prices to fill seats. The end of the busy July and August travel period, which saw hundreds of thousands of residents depart the country, has given way to this natural dip in demand.

For savvy travellers without children, who are not tied to the academic calendar, this period offers an unprecedented opportunity to secure a ‘steal’ on international flights. The relief is palpable for those who endured the high prices of the summer peak.

“We are already seeing a 20 to 30 per cent reduction in fares on many popular routes compared to the summer peak,” according to Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels.

“The rush to get back to the UAE is over, so airlines are now focused on filling seats for the quieter months. This is when they roll out the most aggressive promotions,” Abbas added.

Saudia, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced a significant promotion offering up to a 50 per cent discount on international flights. The exclusive offer covers both round-trip and transit flights across its extensive network, available for booking in both Business and Guest Class (Economy class).

According to Abbas, the price cuts are most dramatic on routes to Europe and Southeast Asia. “You can now find great deals to places like Istanbul, Tbilisi, and Baku, which were quite expensive just a few weeks ago,” he said. “For long-haul destinations, we have seen a noticeable softening of prices to cities like London and Bangkok, as well as on key routes to the Indian subcontinent that saw massive fare hikes in August,” he added. Since the Khareef season is still ongoing in Oman, Salalah has become a very popular holiday spot.

Return fares to London, for departure on August 10 and return September 10, now cost Dh2,666 (one-stop) compared to the August highs of Dh6,321. However, direct flights to London (Emirates) are priced at Dh5,245. Dubai to Bangkok fares is priced at Dh1,704, and fares to Paris average at Dh2,805 (one-stop).

Direct air fares to Europe are still in the Dh3,000 to Dh5,000 range. One-stop airfares are still in the Dh1,200 to Dh2,600 range.

Meanwhile, fares to Southeast Asia have also fallen considerably compared to the summer highs. Tickets to Singapore can be purchased for Dh1,430, and airfares to Manila, Bali, and Phuket – which are extremely popular holiday spots – are priced from Dh1,500 to Dh1,900 (Economy fares).

Travel agents also said that this trend caters to a different kind of traveller. “The people who can travel in September are generally couples, singles, or retirees. They have the flexibility to take advantage of these drops without being constrained by school dates. We are seeing some interest in short, five-to-seven-day trips,” said Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels.

Abbas is advising travellers to act fast. “September is a sweet spot. Demand is low, but the weather in many destinations is still fantastic. It’s a great time to travel without the crowds and at a fraction of the cost." He said that flying midweek can lead to even greater savings.

“Our data shows that flying out on a Tuesday or Wednesday and returning the following week can be significantly cheaper than a weekend trip,” he added.