It’s the time of year in the UAE when everyone is scrolling through to find the best deals within their budget for flights and bookings. However, this year, with flight prices soaring, people are reconsidering their travel itinerary.
Ipshita Sharma, Travel Tailor, SCN Travel and More, said, “People need to stop thinking that they can get last-minute deals. Since the end of COVID-19, last-minute prices are through the roof. I personally know of many holidays that have been canceled due to flight prices.”
An executive at Zulfair Travel mentioned that despite the price surge, Indian expats in the UAE have already pre-booked flights to their home states, including Mumbai, Delhi, and Kerala. Additionally, a large number of Indians are traveling to Dubai for holidays.
While passengers are now required to show hotel bookings, tenancy agreements, proof of funds (ranging from AED3,000 to AED5,000, and a return ticket, these new requirements have not deterred people from booking their trips.
But again, Sharma, believes it is a person-to-person perspective. “I myself canceled my own plans. The flight prices are way too restrictive,” she said.
The executive at Zulfair Travel was quick to highlight that flight prices have surged by 30-40% during this Christmas and New Year period. Travel companies seem to be busy during this peak season in the UAE, as many people from across the globe are visiting the country.
Ipshita mentioned that travelers from the UAE supposedly have preferences before planning their trip. She added, “There are two distinct preferences: some want a snowy Christmas, while others prefer a warm destination. So a lot are heading to either Georgia, particularly Bakuriani, or Sri Lanka, especially Mirissa and Bentota.”
Husain, a Sharjah resident traveling to India on December 26, said, “No matter what the price is, I had to travel for work. Sometimes, you need to push regardless of the cost of the flights. I was checking the prices since a month, and because its the peak time, none of the days saw a dip in the costing.”
