With demand still exceeding available seats on major regional routes, travel agencies expect airfares to stay high through the Eid holiday period.
Airfares from the United Arab Emirates to major Arab destinations have climbed by up to 45% ahead of Eid Al Adha, driven by strong seasonal demand, limited seat availability, and a rise in last-minute bookings, according to travel industry executives.
Travel agencies report a sharp increase in bookings over recent weeks, with demand for flights to key Arab cities accelerating notably. Saudi Arabia has emerged as the strongest market, boosted by overlapping Eid and Hajj-related travel demand.
Praveen Choudhary said flight seat occupancy on several routes has increased to around 70%–75% compared with earlier weeks.
Praveen Choudhary said Eid holidays typically trigger a short-term surge in travel demand as residents in the United Arab Emirates head to their home countries, driving up airfares due to rerouting, higher fuel costs, and a spike in last-minute bookings.
He noted that demand is strongest for Riyadh, Jeddah, and Medina, followed by Cairo and Amman. Airfares on these routes have risen by around 25% to 45% compared with the previous two months, with some fares reaching nearly Dh3,500.
He added that demand for both Hajj and Eid travel has coincided this year, while remote schooling options for children have further supported early travel planning, all contributing to higher prices.
Rashida Zahid said the increase is also driven by a gap between recovering demand and limited airline capacity, with fewer flights operating on some routes and schedules still stabilising. She noted that longer Eid holidays have further boosted outbound travel, particularly to Arab, CIS, and Balkan destinations.
She added that growing interest in countries such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania is being driven by affordability, scenery, and halal-friendly tourism options.
Bharat Aidasani said Eid remains one of the busiest travel periods in the GCC, with expatriates travelling home and residents taking short holidays. He highlighted strong demand for destinations such as Egypt, Jordan, and Oman, noting that limited flight availability continues to push fares higher.
Overall, travel agencies expect airfares to remain elevated across key regional routes until the Eid holiday period, as demand continues to outpace available seat capacity.
