As UAE residents eagerly prepare for the next long weekend, they are met with a significant increase in Airfares to visa-free countries. Round-trip tickets that typically cost around Dh800 have surged to over Dh2,800 for certain destinations, marking a staggering 300% hike.
The sharp rise in ticket prices is driven by high demand and limited seat availability as residents plan getaways for the National Day holiday. Popular visa-free locations such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Armenia, and the Maldives have seen a notable spike in airfare during this period.
Pavan Poojary, a travel expert at Luxury Travels in Abu Dhabi, highlighted the trend: “The National Day holiday is one of the most anticipated travel periods for UAE residents, who look forward to escaping their daily routines and exploring nearby visa-free countries.” He added, “We have recorded fare hikes of over 300% to certain destinations during the National Day holiday from November 30 to December 3.”
For instance, one-way flights to Georgia currently start at Dh269 with budget carriers, and a round trip costs about Dh800.
However, during the upcoming holiday, a one-way ticket on the same airline jumps to Dh1,289, with round trips reaching up to Dh2,828 for a four-day vacation. Similarly, airfare to Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia) starts at Dh167, with round trips priced at Dh689. Yet, during the long weekend, airfare surges, beginning at Dh1,607 for a one-way ticket and Dh2,634 for the return journey.
The Maldives, a favored destination during the cooler months, also reflects this trend. Current airfare starts at Dh449, with round trips costing Dh1,500. However, during the National Day holiday, travel websites show an increase in price by nearly 70%, with round-trip fares starting at Dh2,229.
Libin Varghese, Sales Director at Rooh Tourism LLC, explained, “Visa-free destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the Maldives are always in demand, especially during cooler months. By late November, snow begins to fall in Georgia, and other Caucasian countries offer cooler weather, making them ideal getaways.”
Varghese further noted, “UAE residents favor these countries for their affordability, proximity, and cultural richness. For a four or five-day holiday, travelers prefer to spend their time exploring rather than traveling.”
Travel industry experts warn that the increase in Airfares will also lead to higher package costs. Poojary stated, “Travelers can expect significant increases in travel packages compared to current prices. For Caucasian countries, packages may start at Dh3,500 during the long weekend.”
Industry experts predict that Airfares prices will stabilize after the holiday as demand normalizes. However, they strongly advise residents to plan and book their travel well in advance to avoid last-minute price hikes.
