More than a million people are expected to fly out of the country during the four-day break
Released: Fri 26 Nov 2021, 10:44 am
Last update: Fri 26 Nov 2021, 11:16 am
The holiday season is just around the corner, which means that airfares have peaked. In the coming week, it is estimated that over a million people will fly out of the country for the four-day break as the UAE celebrates its golden anniversary on December 2nd.
Dubai Airports (DXB) has announced an exceptionally busy 11 days as 1.8 million passengers are expected to travel through DXB between November 25th and December 5th.
Etihad Airways has opened a special facility for early check-in at Abu Dhabi International Airport in order to make the travel experience as smooth as possible during the main travel season in the coming weeks.
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Even if airfares have doubled to certain high-traffic destinations, that doesn’t mean travelers aren’t getting cheap fares.
What travel experts recommend
Travel industry executives suggest that when planning a vacation during the peak travel season, residents should take some steps to save a decent amount of money.
Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director for Mena and India at Wego, said travel plans could change due to Covid-19 scenarios. As a result, most airlines waive cancellation fees, offer refunds and flexible change fees.
“While some airlines offer refunds in the form of cash, others offer these as ‘travel credit’ or vouchers that can be used for future travel with a period of validity. Take into account your needs and choose wisely, ”he said.
He said residents can save a decent amount if they are flexible with their travel dates, either by booking well in advance or avoiding travel during rush hour.
“Most people are understandably wary of early bookings these days. Travel rules can be reversed and countries can be blocked just like that. However, we believe that as long as you stay up to date with the latest news, you can easily make timely and informed adjustments. “
According to Wego’s managing director, certain destinations tend to be significantly more expensive during the Christmas season. So think outside the box and opt for a resort vacation. Another option is to choose a place to stay and explore several nearby cities in your home country.
Hmedan says that taking a few extra minutes to compare flight prices can also sometimes save a lot of money.
Mir Wasim Raja, Manager, MICE and Holidays, Galadari International Travel Services, also advised residents to book their flights well in advance of their departure date and also to be flexible by booking flights a few days before the holiday starts. He also recommended flying to smaller airports in the country whenever possible and preferring a low-cost airline to a full-fledged airline.
It is also advisable to book a hotel outside the city center, as downtown hotels tend to be quite expensive.
“If travelers do their research well, they can save a lot on vacation. But you need to plan well in advance. If you have a lot of time and love to fly, you can opt for transits which save the money that can be used to explore more places, ”he said.
“Also, tickets to smaller airports are cheaper and people should consider this option too. But you have to do your research before deciding on this option. “
Raheesh Babu, Chief Operations Officer at Musafir.com, suggested that residents stay flexible and look to the UAE for flights from other emirates as well.
He also advised travelers to plan their vacation well in advance. “If you plan to travel in December, book tickets around September to take advantage of the low fares. Plan to travel during the middle of the week as prices are lower on weekdays compared to weekends, ”added Babu.
Useful travel tips:
>> Check the airline’s cancellation and refund policy
>> Book tickets in good time
>> Have flexible travel dates
>> Book a hotel outside the city center
>> Avoid traveling at peak times
>> Resort vacations can be a better choice in high season than opting for downtown hotels
>> Opt for stays during the main travel season
>> Compare flight prices
>> Fly to smaller airports
>> Always take out travel insurance
>> Find out about your trip
>> Check 1-2 transits on the way to your vacation destination
>> Low-cost airlines offer cheaper airfares
Source: Wego.com, Galadari International Travel Services, Musafir.com, KT Research
