It’s been 8 days since Ramadan 2025 kicked off, and experts report that UAE residents have already started booking their tickets to take a break and jet off. There has been a significant increase in travel bookings, and according to dnata Travel, 90% of UAE travelers are choosing international destinations during this period, marking a substantial rise compared to previous years.
Given the larger pool of Indian expats, Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip shared, “At EaseMyTrip, we have also seen 2X rise in requests for Ramadan vacations. Traditional favorites like India, Spain, Mauritius, France, and Sri Lanka are experiencing heightened interest.”
He shared that many UAE travellers are also exploring destinations like Vietnam, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland, which are witnessing remarkable year-on-year growth in demand.
How can you save money on tickets?
“Early bookings are the best way to mitigate the rising costs, we recommend travellers to finalize their plans and book flights as early as possible. Early bookings not only secure better rates but also provide a wider selection of flight and accommodation options. Proactive planning is essential for a simplified and cost-effective travel experience during this peak season,” remarked Pittie.
Growing preference among UAE travelers for direct flights
Rikant further mentioned that recent trends have shown a growing preference among travelers from the UAE for direct flights during holiday and festive seasons. “This shift is influenced by the increasing availability of non-stop routes and a desire to minimize travel time,” he added.
In support of this, Emirates Airline has announced plans to expand its global network in 2025, introducing direct flights to several new destinations. These include Shenzhen in China, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The addition of these routes aims to provide travelers with more direct options, reducing the need for layovers.
Meanwhile, Etihad Airways is also enhancing its services by launching ten new routes in 2025. Notably, the airline will commence direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Atlanta, marking its first direct route to this U.S. city.
Other new destinations include Medan in Indonesia, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, and Krabi in Thailand. These expansions are designed to offer passengers more direct flight options, aligning with the growing demand for non-stop travel.
“However, some travellers continue to choose layovers, particularly when it allows them to explore additional destinations or when direct flights are not available. The concept of stop-over-cations, where travellers break up long-haul flights with layovers in cities like Vietnam, is gaining popularity,” elaborated Pittie.
