Airfares to the UAE from various countries like India, Pakistan, Europe, and the Middle East have seen a significant increase following August 15. In some cases, ticket prices have even doubled. Travel experts have attributed this sudden surge in airfares to the end of the school holidays, which triggers a rush of families and students heading back to the UAE for the new academic year. Those who had not booked their return tickets in advance are now faced with the challenge of either paying higher fares or finding alternative options to get home.

The Reason Behind the Sudden Surge in Airfares

According to travel consultants, the period leading up to mid-August offers relatively affordable flight options. However, once August 15 passes, fares increase by more than 100 percent. The rising demand for flights is primarily driven by the impending school year. Many families and students are making the journey back to the UAE to prepare for the start of classes, which commence on August 25. This sharp rise in fares is most evident on routes from Indian cities, as well as from other regional hubs.

Safiya Javed, a senior travel consultant at Travel Track, shared that airfares from India begin to rise steeply after August 15. Families residing in the UAE prefer to return early to avoid last-minute price hikes and ensure they are prepared for the new academic year. According to Safiya, this trend is observable across almost all flight sectors, but it is particularly noticeable in the Indian market. She pointed out that the average fare from India currently stands at approximately Dh1,000, but this can increase to as high as Dh2,000, depending on seat availability after mid-August. For those returning during the first two weeks of August, the average fare is around Dh600, a difference that can save a family of four more than Dh2,200 compared to booking flights post-August 15.

Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, also confirmed that booking flights for the first or second week of August is still relatively affordable. However, fares rise substantially after that. Many travelers have already made their bookings to avoid higher prices later on. Pavan Poojary, a travel consultant at Luxury Travels, emphasized that travelers who delay their bookings are likely to pay much higher prices and face fewer flight options. As a result, many residents who had been staying longer in their home countries are now rushing to return before ticket prices become unaffordable. The surge in prices is real, and so is the scramble to book earlier flights.

Current Fares vs. the Post-August 15 Surge

Flight search engine Skyscanner reported that current one-way airfares from Indian cities like Delhi and Bengaluru to the UAE range from Dh420 to Dh450. Similar prices can be found from other nearby cities, with flights from Cairo to Dubai priced between Dh400 and Dh410, flights from Beirut to Abu Dhabi between Dh245 and Dh325, and flights from Amman to Dubai between Dh365 and Dh445.

For longer-haul destinations, flights from London are priced around Dh1,500 to Dh2,500 for a direct flight. For flights originating from Beijing, fares start at approximately Dh1,181.

However, once mid-August arrives, these fares will increase sharply. For example, fares from Indian and regional origins may rise by over 100 percent, reaching Dh900 to Dh1,500, while longer-haul routes could see prices climb from Dh1,500 to more than Dh2,500, depending on demand and seat availability.

Factors Contributing to the Steep Rise in Airfares

The primary reason behind this significant increase in flight prices is the high demand for tickets following the end of school holidays. Many families and students are rushing to return to the UAE, filling up flights to capacity. Airlines are operating at full capacity, leaving few available seats for late bookings. As Aidasani pointed out, the surge is largely driven by vacation travel, with business travel remaining relatively minimal. The volume of residents returning to the UAE during this time is expected to be substantial.

Pavan Poojary also noted that travelers who delay booking their flights risk facing higher prices and fewer available seats. To avoid this, many families are opting to return earlier than planned, well before the start of the school year. Some even choose to extend their holidays into September, as the difference in fares can be too large to justify a mid-August return.

Tips for Travelers Looking to Save on Flights

For residents who are planning to return to the UAE from countries such as India, it is highly recommended to book flights before mid-August. This allows travelers to save money and reduce the stress of last-minute bookings. Safiya Javed suggested that families traveling before mid-August will avoid the last-minute price hikes and enjoy a smoother return process.

For those who have not booked yet, it is important to make travel arrangements as soon as possible. The first week of August is considered the best window to secure affordable tickets before the demand spikes and prices soar.

Pavan Poojary recommended that travelers who are unable to travel early should remain flexible with their travel dates. Keeping an eye on flight deals and being open to flexible travel dates can help find better prices. This flexibility could prove invaluable, as prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the availability of seats and the level of demand.

For those looking to extend their stay until September, Safiya suggested returning during the first 10 days of August in order to prepare for the upcoming academic year. Booking flights within this window can help mitigate the surge in airfares that typically occurs after mid-August.

In conclusion, UAE-bound flights are expected to become considerably more expensive after mid-August due to the end of school holidays and the influx of families and students returning to the UAE for the new school year. Travelers who are able to book their flights before August 15 stand to save a significant amount of money. For families with children, this early return could result in savings of over Dh2,200, making it worth considering the potential benefits of planning ahead.

While some residents may have already missed the window for affordable fares, others still have a chance to secure lower prices by booking their flights soon. Remaining flexible with travel dates and keeping an eye on potential flight deals can also help to reduce the financial burden of last-minute bookings.

Travel experts emphasize the importance of planning early to avoid the surge in fares. Those returning to the UAE for the school year can significantly reduce their travel costs by taking advantage of affordable flight options available in the first two weeks of August.