Agencies: 50% rise in prices of airline tickets for school holidays

The demand for travel has risen to high levels as the next school holiday approaches, especially to the usual regional destinations, reflecting the increase in air fares by about 50%, compared to their usual levels, travel agency managers said.

They told Emirates Today that prices continue to rise in light of strong demand, coinciding with the holiday, which begins in mid-December, especially to the regional destinations intended for residents to visit their countries, such as: Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, as well as tourist stations to spend Holidays.

They explained that some flights began to record near-full occupancy levels, pointing out that early booking and flexible dates give the customer more options and find flights at lower prices.

Ticket prices

Yasin Diab, Director General of Al Faisal Travel and Tourism Agency, said: “Airline fares to regional and tourist destinations from the UAE market continue to rise in light of strong demand, in conjunction with the first semester holiday starting mid-December.” "Many flights have very high occupancy levels," he said.

He added that «demand is largely concentrated in the regional stations, which are intended for residents to visit their countries, such as: Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, as well as Asian destinations», pointing out that «the other part of the demand is concentrated in tourist destinations, for the purpose of holidays». “There has been a significant increase in bookings to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand,” he said.

He pointed out that «prices of air tickets are 25% higher on average, compared with the levels of nature, and these increases may reach a rate ranging between 50 and 75% for bookings that coincide with the first days after the leave», pointing out that «prices are likely to rise, under High demand ».

School leave

Walid Shawki, General Manager of Truvallio Travel and Tourism, said that the school vacation has contributed to raising the demand for airline tickets, pointing out that the current prices indicate that the demand exceeds the available level of seat capacity on flights. "Especially on some days."

He added that «some flights began to record near-full occupancy levels, especially those immediately after school leave», pointing out that «pressure will be great on return flights as well, for the last days».

He pointed out that «increases in the prices of airline tickets ranges between 30 and 45% on average, and constantly rising as the holiday approaches, while increases to record levels for last-minute bookings, pointing to the importance of« choose flexible dates for flights, to avoid large increases In prices, especially peak times. ”

He added that «increases in the price of air tickets vary from one destination to another, and depends primarily on the proportion of seats reserved on flights, and whether the flights directly or through more than one station».

High demand

The Director General of Belhasa Tourism Company, Narrows Sarkis, said that the month of December is witnessing a high demand for travel to various destinations, pointing out that the upcoming school holidays and Christmas holidays have contributed to the increase in demand to specific destinations. Especially the regional ones or the usual tourist stations ».

He added that «high demand contributed to raise prices by 50% compared to normal levels, especially to stations such as Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, as well as tourist destinations in Europe and East Asia», pointing out that «airlines raise prices gradually, the higher the occupancy rate».

He predicted that «a number of flights will record full occupancy rates, during the next few days, while prices will increase at varying rates as the approaching time of travel», pointing out that «early booking and flexible dates give the customer more options, and find flights at lower prices».

Price increases

Mohammed Jassim Al Rais, Executive Vice President of Al Rais Travel Company, said that «increases in the prices of air tickets, concentrated in destinations where demand, starting from the UAE market, for the purpose of visit or tourism during the school vacation period, pointing out that« prices in general, Currently, it is lower than the levels normally recorded during the summer peak. ”

Al-Rayes added that «the school leave has contributed to raising the bookings of citizens for the purpose of tourism in varying proportions, and concentrated in two main stations: Britain and Thailand, as well as winter destinations, such as: Switzerland and Russia».