UAE residents can now save up to 40% on travel tickets, allowing more funds for hotels and experiences, thanks to the expansion of budget carriers' networks to popular destinations in Western Europe and Southeast Asia.
Travel industry insiders report that both Emirati and expat families are increasingly opting for budget travel, enabling them to spend more on their hotel stays and travel experiences. The UAE's low-cost airlines, such as Air Arabia, Flydubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air, have significantly expanded their destinations, offering new options for exploration.
These carriers are aggressively growing their fleets, serving destinations beyond a five-hour travel radius, including the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Georgia, Armenia, and more. For instance, Air Arabia recently announced a new service to Vienna (Austria) starting in December 2024, with one-way tickets priced at just Dh399. The Sharjah-based airline has also launched routes to Athens (Greece), Krakow (Poland), and Phuket (Thailand).
Similarly, Flydubai offers flights to the Greek cities of Corfu and Santorini, Dubrovnik (Croatia), and Olbia (Italy), among others. These budget airlines provide access to many destinations not served by traditional full-service airlines.
UAE residents can now book return tickets to European destinations on budget carriers for less than Dh1,977 for no baggage and Dh2,140 for a 20kg baggage allowance, compared to Dh3,500 on full-service airlines. Regionally, Oman’s low-cost carrier Salam Air also offers connecting flights that UAE residents can benefit from.
According to aviation consultancy OAG, low-cost carriers in the Middle East increased their market share by one percent in July 2024, reaching 28%. Flyadeal, Air Arabia, FlyDubai, and Jazeera Airways all reported steady growth in July, ranging from 5-7% year-on-year.
Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, noted that the addition of new and previously unserved destinations by low-cost carriers provides UAE travelers with more cost-effective options.
“There will be price benefits, and families will have more choices for their holiday trips to popular European and Asian tourist destinations,”
he said.
News Source: Khaleej Times
