Residents of the UAE now have a wider range of affordable options for selecting new tourist destinations at significantly lower prices, thanks to the expansion of budget airlines into popular Western European and Southeast Asian locations.
Travel industry experts note that both Emirati and expatriate families are increasingly choosing budget travel to allocate more funds towards hotel stays and travel experiences. Low-cost airlines in the UAE, including Air Arabia, flydubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air, have expanded their routes to numerous new destinations worldwide, enabling travelers to explore places they haven't visited before. These airlines are rapidly increasing their fleet sizes, allowing them to serve destinations beyond a five-hour flight radius, such as the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Georgia, Armenia, and similar regions.
Air Arabia recently announced the launch of its service to Vienna, Austria, in December 2024, with one-way tickets priced at Dh399. The airline also introduced services to Athens, Greece; Krakow, Poland; and Phuket, Thailand. Similarly, flydubai operates flights to Corfu and Santorini in Greece, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Olbia in Italy. Other low-cost airlines also serve many destinations not covered by full-service carriers.
UAE residents can book return tickets to European destinations on budget carriers for less than Dh1,977 without baggage and Dh2,140 with a 20kg baggage allowance, significantly cheaper than the Dh3,500 charged by full-service airlines. Additionally, Oman’s low-cost carrier, Salam Air, offers connecting flights that benefit UAE residents.
According to aviation consultancy OAG, low-cost carriers in the Middle East have increased their market share by one percent in July 2024, reaching 28 percent. Airlines like Flyadeal, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, and Jazeera Airways are experiencing steady growth, with increases ranging from 5-7 percent year-on-year. Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, highlighted that the introduction of new and unserved destinations by low-cost carriers provides more cost-effective options for UAE travelers.
Mir Wasim Raja, manager for MICE and holidays at Galadari International Travel Services, explained that many UAE residents opt for low-cost carriers due to cheaper airfares, allowing them to spend more on experiences and higher-quality hotels. Shamsheed CV, senior consultant for outbound travel operations at Wisefox Tourism, noted that Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has significantly impacted the local aviation sector, particularly for budget-conscious travelers.
Airfares on low-cost carriers are approximately Dh1,000 to Dh1,500 less than those on full-service carriers for popular destinations like Vienna and Phuket, enabling UAE travelers to save around 40 percent per person on their travel tickets. Raheesh Babu added that families in the UAE can save 30 to 35 percent on long-haul trips to popular tourist destinations with low-cost airlines, increasing demand for budget carriers.
