UAE residents are set to face a steep 300 percent increase in airfares for trips to visa-free countries over the upcoming long weekend. The sudden spike in airfares is attributed to a surge in demand coupled with limited seating availability as residents gear up for the National Day holiday. Popular destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Armenia, and the Maldives have seen a significant hike in flight costs. Travel experts report that round-trip tickets, typically priced around Dh800, have surged to over Dh2,800 for some locations.
Pavan Poojary, a travel expert at Luxury Travels in Abu Dhabi, explained, "The National Day holiday is a highly anticipated travel period for many UAE residents, who seek to break from their routines and explore nearby visa-free countries." He further noted, "We've observed fare increases exceeding 300 percent for certain destinations during the National Day holiday from November 30 to December 3."
According to an analysis by Khaleej Times, one-way travel to Georgia starts at Dh269 with budget carriers, and a round trip begins at around Dh800. However, during the next long weekend, the same airline offers one-way tickets starting at Dh1,289, with round trips reaching up to Dh2,828 for a four-day vacation. Similarly, for Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia), current airfares start at Dh167, with round trips costing Dh689. But during the long weekend, fares skyrocket, starting at Dh1,607 for the onward journey and Dh2,634 for the return.
Travel agents have observed a notable increase in interest for the Maldives during the cooler months. Currently, airfare to this popular destination starts at Dh449, with a round trip costing Dh1,500. However, during the National Day holiday, prices surge by nearly 70 percent, with round-trip fares starting at Dh2,229. According to travel agents, visa-free destinations within a 3 to 4-hour flight from the UAE are consistently in demand. Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tourism LLC, stated, "Considering visa-free destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Maldives during the cooler months is always popular. By the end of November, snow starts falling in Georgia, and other Caucasian countries offer cooler climates, making them ideal getaway spots."
Varghese added, "One of the reasons UAE residents favor these countries is their affordability, proximity, and cultural appeal. For a four or five-day holiday, travelers prefer to spend their time exploring rather than traveling." Travel industry executives also noted that increased airfares will lead to higher package costs. Poojary mentioned, "Travelers can anticipate a significant rise in travel packages compared to current prices. For Caucasian countries, packages might start at Dh3,500 during the long weekend." Industry executives predict that airfare prices will stabilize after the holiday as demand returns to normal. However, they advise residents to plan and book their travel in advance to avoid unexpected price hikes.
