UAE’s low-cost airlines, including Air Arabia, Flydubai, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, and Wizz Air, are broadening their horizons, introducing new destinations and helping travelers save around 40% on airfare. This significant saving allows residents to splurge on hotels and unique experiences at their destinations.
This month, Air Arabia announced its new service to Vienna, Austria, starting in December 2024, with one-way tickets priced at just Dh399. Additionally, the Sharjah-based airline has expanded its routes to Athens (Greece), Krakow (Poland), and Phuket (Thailand).
Flydubai is also adding more European destinations, including Corfu and Santorini in Greece, Dubrovnik in Croatia, and Olbia in Italy. Other low-cost carriers are similarly expanding their reach to previously underserved locations.
UAE residents can now book return tickets to European cities on budget airlines for less than Dh1,977 without baggage or Dh2,140 with a 20kg baggage allowance, compared to Dh3,500 on full-service airlines. Regionally, Oman’s Salam Air offers connecting flights that benefit UAE travelers.
According to aviation consultancy OAG, low-cost carriers in the Middle East have increased their market share by one percent in July 2024, reaching 28%. Airlines like Flyadeal, Air Arabia, Flydubai, and Jazeera Airways are experiencing steady growth, with year-on-year increases between 5-7%.
Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, highlighted that the introduction of new and underserved destinations by budget airlines provides UAE travelers with more cost-effective options. “There will be price benefits, and families will have more choices for their holiday trips to popular European and Asian tourist destinations,” he said.
Saving on Airfare, Spending on Experiences
Mir Wasim Raja, manager for MICE and holidays at Galadari International Travel Services, noted that many UAE residents prefer low-cost carriers due to cheaper airfares, allowing them to allocate savings toward better hotels and unique experiences. “Residents used to cancel their travel plans to popular destinations due to budget constraints. Now, with low-cost carriers serving many new destinations, demand is growing among both expat and Emirati families,” he explained.
Shamsheed CV, senior consultant for outbound travel operations at Wisefox Tourism, stated that the introduction of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has been a game-changer for budget-conscious travelers. “Now, families and young people fly in groups and prefer budget carriers for long-haul destinations due to affordability,” he said.
Significant Savings
Mir Wasim Raja added that airfares on budget airlines are approximately Dh1,000 to Dh1,500 less than full-service carriers for popular destinations like Vienna and Phuket, allowing UAE travelers to save around 40% per person on travel tickets. Raheesh Babu noted that families in the UAE could easily save 30 to 35% on long-haul trips with low-cost airlines.
“Demand for budget carriers is strong and growing. Earlier, middle-class families traveled within a three-to-four-hour flight radius due to budget constraints. Now, they can visit popular tourist destinations beyond the five-hour flight radius at the same cost, thanks to budget airlines introducing new routes,” he said.
