In Pictures: Sure, UAE-London flights are turning expensive, but there are lower fare options too

Days after Heathrow capped passenger numbers to 100,000 a day, two-way fares from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to London saw a dramatic increase. A round trip from London to Dubai for July 23 to 30 hovers from Dh3,750 to Dh8,700. An Emirates flight to London Heathrow is seen hitting Dh17,078 for the same period.

A round trip from Dubai to London in Emirates and return with British Airways can cost up to Dh25,583, while Abu Dhabi to London with Qatar Airways and return with Etihad would be Dh22,933.

UAE-based travel agents say that the fares in this route has gone up by 80 per cent. “July-August is one of the busiest times for Dubai-London - fares are already above the usual,” said Godfrey Lopez of Uranus Travels. “Due to staffing issues in Heathrow, the number of incoming passengers are capped and this has further pushed up the prices above the peak fares.”

To make a pocket-friendly trip – in relative terms - to London, agents are recommending UK-bound travellers to take non-direct flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “A direct flight costs Dh 8,000 to Dh9,000, but an indirect or a transit flight to the same destination could be between Dh4,400 to Dh5,500,” said Lopez.

Turkish Airways, Air France, KLM, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines among other budget-friendly European airlines have climbed the popularity list in no time. On average, tickets on these flights for July 23-30 start from Dh3,200.

“Only drawback is the travel time which ranges from 10- to 12 plus hours,” said Lopez. “If people are ready for long journeys for half the price, then they can still get to London and enjoy their vacation.”

Other ways of making your summer vacation to London is travel to Stanstead Airport and Gatwick airport. Airfare to these routes, however, remain higher than the usual (up 30 to 40 per cent)

The most popular alternative amongst the travellers is taking a direct flight to Manchester or Birmingham and take a train to London. (This way travellers get to explore more than one city in the UK.)

A one-way train from Manchester and Birmingham to London costs between Dh450 to Dh500 for July 25 to 30th period. If booked in advance, these could even come down to Dh300.

Travel agents reckon that the airfares have gone above the pre-pandemic levels. “Due to limited flight frequency and 30 per cent rise in fuel charges, airfares to Dubai-London route has gone up by 20 per cent,” said Lopez. “In 2019, Dh6,000 was the peak price, but Dh8,000 is the new normal.”

British Airways and Emirates flights from Dubai to London are expected to hover around Dh3,600 (return) during August 15 period and fall as we approach September. So if you’re planning for that most awaited trip to the UK, September is the right time. Meanwhile travellers can apply for their visa as it can take up to 3 weeks to get the approval.