Managers expected the increase to continue, supported by the spring and Eid al-Fitr holidays, and the rise in oil

Rising demand for travel increases airline ticket prices by up to 36%

• The current period is witnessing an increase of up to 25% in the demand for travel abroad.

  Photography: Ashok Verma

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Officials of travel and tourism companies stated that the demand for travel, during the current period, witnessed an increase of up to 25%, compared to the same period last year, as a result of easing travel restrictions and precautionary measures, which were imposed in the Emirates, due to the “Corona” pandemic, and lifting restrictions. In many countries of the world.

They explained that the increase in demand was accompanied by increases of up to 36% in ticket prices, amid expectations that ticket prices would witness a price boom during the coming period, in light of the approaching start of the spring vacation season, and Eid al-Fitr, and the summer period, in addition to expectations of a rise in oil prices due to The war in Ukraine.

They noted that the demand is more individual than familial, and varies between leisure travel, visiting family, and for business and trade purposes, noting that the demand is focused on Arab countries, due to fears of traveling to Europe, as a result of the war in Ukraine.

According to a survey conducted by "Emirates Today", the price of travel tickets from Dubai to Cairo increased from 1,700 dirhams to 2,115 dirhams, an increase of 24.4%, during this March, compared to March 2021. The price of travel tickets from Abu Dhabi to Cairo also increased from 1,800 to 2,380 dirhams , an increase of 32.2%.

The price of a ticket from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah increased from 1,100 to 1,500 dirhams, an increase of 36%, and the price from Abu Dhabi to the Jordanian capital, Amman, increased from 1,900 to 2,300 dirhams, an increase of 21%, during the same period.

travel season

In detail, the Director General of Al-Badi Travel Agency, Muhammad Al-Sawy, said that “there is a significant increase in the demand for travel in the current period, compared to previous years, especially since the current period is not considered a travel season, as there are no national occasions, holidays or vacations. schools, supporting the demand for travel”, referring to the demand for travel to ease many restrictions that were imposed due to the “Corona” pandemic, when traveling from and back to the Emirates, as well as the lifting of a number of countries travel restrictions, which led to a tangible increase in the number of travelers Especially those who haven't traveled for a long time.

Al-Sawy pointed out that the main travel destinations are concentrated in some Arab countries, such as: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Sultanate of Oman, whether by citizens or residents, pointing out that there are fears of traveling to Europe in the current period as a result of the war in Ukraine.

He noted that the high demand led to a rise in ticket prices, as the profitability departments of airlines control the number of cheap seats available on demand, explaining that the high demand limits cheap seats on the plane, and makes airlines raise prices to the highest level, especially when the percentage reaches Occupancy to 75%, as you begin to move to higher segments with higher price levels, while declining demand increases the number of cheap seats, to motivate travelers to buy tickets.

Al-Sawy called on travelers to plan their trips early, and book long before traveling, to avoid high prices and book cheap seats.

He considered that the rise in oil prices has not yet been reflected in ticket prices, pointing out that if the increase in oil prices continues, the rise in ticket prices will be reflected significantly during the coming period.

high demand

For his part, the General Manager of "Al-Yasmeen Travel and Tourism", Salah Khaled Salem, said that "there is an increase in the demand for travel abroad by between 20 and 25% during the current period, compared to the same period last year, although the current period does not It is considered a season for travel,” due to the high demand due to the lifting of travel restrictions by many countries, as well as the easing of precautionary measures in the Emirates, such as the lack of the need for a PCR examination, the abolition of quarantine, and other measures.

He noted that the high demand for travel was accompanied by a rise in the prices of travel tickets as well, with rates reaching 36%, depending on the destination and date of booking.

Salem stressed the importance of booking early, to avoid a rise in prices, in light of the demand for travel, with expectations that ticket prices will continue to rise, in the event that oil prices continue to rise, especially in light of the Ukrainian crisis.

Ticket prices

For his part, Riyadh Al-Faisal, a travel and tourism consultant, said that “there is an increase in demand for the price by rates of up to 25%, offset by a rise in ticket prices by rates exceeding 30% depending on the destination, compared to last year, although the current period does not constitute a season.” For travel, as some saw that the current period is a golden opportunity to travel, as a result of lifting travel restrictions, whether in the UAE or in many other countries, amid expectations that ticket prices are on the verge of a new price boom, during the coming period, in light of the imminent start of the holiday season. Spring for schools, and Eid al-Fitr, followed by the summer period, as well as expectations of higher oil prices due to the war in Ukraine.”

He noted that the high demand is focused on a number of Arab countries that are experiencing stability, such as: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Lebanon.

Restrictions and demand growth

Zain Al-Tayeb, the reservations official at Al-Tayeb Travel, said that “the current period is witnessing a growth in demand by between 20 and 25%, and an increase in ticket prices by rates exceeding 30%, a level not witnessed in two years at this time, due to the easing of Restrictions, whether in the UAE or abroad,” noting that the demand is predominantly individual, rather than family, and varies between leisure travel, family visits, and business and trade purposes.

He explained that there are expectations that the coming period will witness more growth in demand, and consequently a growth in ticket prices, in light of the approaching second semester vacation and the Eid al-Fitr holiday, amid growing fears that oil prices will continue to rise, as a result of the wave of inflation and the war in Ukraine. It raises jet fuel prices, and thus ticket prices.

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