UAE residents planning to travel during the upcoming National Day holiday will need to brace themselves for a significant increase in airfares to popular visa-free destinations. Airfares to countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Armenia, and the Maldives have surged by as much as 300%, with round-trip tickets that usually cost around Dh800 now soaring to over Dh2,800.
The sharp rise in prices is attributed to a combination of high demand and limited seat availability as residents look to make the most of the long weekend from November 30 to December 3. Pavan Poojary, a travel expert at Luxury Travels in Abu Dhabi, explained that the National Day holiday is one of the most popular travel periods for UAE residents, prompting a substantial increase in fares.
An analysis by Khaleej Times revealed that current one-way travel to Georgia by budget carriers starts at Dh269, with round trips costing approximately Dh800. However, during the holiday weekend, one-way fares jump to Dh1,289, with round trips reaching up to Dh2,828. Similar price hikes are observed for destinations like Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia), where round-trip fares can exceed Dh2,600 during the holiday period.
The Maldives, a favored destination during the cooler months, has also seen a significant rise in airfares, with round-trip prices increasing by nearly 70% during the National Day holiday.
Travel agents emphasize that visa-free destinations within a 3 to 4-hour flight range are particularly popular among UAE residents due to their affordability, proximity, and favorable weather. Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tourism LLC, noted that countries like Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia offer cooler weather and cultural experiences, making them ideal holiday getaways.
As travel demand surges, package costs are expected to rise accordingly. Poojary mentioned that packages to Caucasian countries could start at Dh3,500 during the long weekend.
Industry experts advise residents to plan and book their travel well in advance to avoid higher costs and ensure availability. While airfare prices are predicted to stabilize after the holiday, early planning remains key to securing the best deals.
News Source: Khaleej Times
