UAE residents: Why your summer airfares just got more expensive

Dubai: If you’re wondering why your planned summer getaway is suddenly costing a lot more—blame it on the skies. Flight ticket prices from the UAE to several top destinations have jumped sharply since June 13, when escalating tensions between Iran and Israel forced airlines to reroute away from restricted airspace.

Whether you're flying home to Mumbai, planning a safari in Nairobi, or heading to New York for a family holiday, chances are your airfare has gone up—by quite a bit.

A quick look at fare trackers like Skyscanner and Google Flights shows that flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to many parts of Asia, Europe, Africa and North America are now 15% to 60% more expensive than they were just days ago.

For many Indian expats in the UAE, flying home in the summer is a yearly ritual. But this year, it’s coming at a steeper price.

One-way tickets from the UAE to Mumbai or Delhi that usually cost between Dh380 to Dh440 ($105–$120) are now being sold for as much as Dh800 ($220), depending on the airline and departure date. That’s a 50–60% jump, and for larger families, the difference adds up quickly.

Heading to the United States? Be prepared for higher fares there, too. Tickets to New York now average Dh1,210 to Dh1,325 ($330–$361) one-way, compared to pre-June 13 prices of around Dh1,030 ($280). Round-trip fares to cities like New York, Chicago, or Houston are crossing Dh2,475 ($674), reflecting an increase of 15–20%.

The reason? Flights now take longer routes to avoid Iranian airspace, pushing up fuel and operational costs—costs that passengers end up paying for.

Flights to Nairobi, a popular leisure and business route, are also feeling the squeeze. One-way fares have increased from around Dh550 ($150) to Dh640–Dh750 ($174–$204). Round-trip fares are averaging Dh1,195 ($326), up about 25% in just a week.

This is a major concern for UAE residents with family ties or work commitments in East Africa. Some airlines are adding stopovers to reroute safely, increasing both prices and travel time.

Flights to Germany, like those to Frankfurt, are up from Dh750 ($205) to Dh950 ($260)—a roughly 25% jump, even though they don’t directly overfly the conflict zone. The ripple effect of increased traffic over alternate air routes has led to higher prices even on unaffected corridors.

Flights to Israel, meanwhile, have become not just more expensive—but harder to find. Direct flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv that used to cost Dh640 ($175) are now pricing in at Dh1,080 ($295), with fewer daily options available. That’s a 70% increase, with longer layovers in some cases.

The answer is simple: longer routes mean longer flight times, higher fuel bills, and scheduling disruptions. Airlines have to make up for the extra cost, and that gets passed on to travelers. Summer demand is only adding to the pressure.

With Iran and Israeli airspace partly restricted, several flights that would typically pass through these zones are now being rerouted via longer paths—such as over the Gulf, Central Asia, or northern Africa. The resulting congestion on alternative flight corridors is impacting prices globally.

If you’re planning a summer holiday, consider booking sooner rather than later—especially for popular routes. Use fare comparison tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to track price drops or better timing. And if your plans are flexible, try mid-week travel or off-peak hours to save a few hundred dirhams.

Also, look out for flexible or refundable fare options in case further regional disruptions impact schedules. With tensions still unfolding, airfare volatility may persist for weeks.

Flight prices from the UAE to much of the world have gone up—and the skies may stay expensive until airspace restrictions ease. Whether you’re flying for a family visit, business, or holiday, it may be wise to book early or reconsider routes to avoid a last-minute budget crunch.