Dubai: Airfares from the UAE to several Arab destinations fell during September to their lowest levels since the beginning of the year, as the peak of the summer travel season came to an end, with a decrease ranging between 46% and 62%.According to a survey, which included websites of airlines, the prices of some direct round-trip flights during September start from about Dh1,000.Managers at travel and tourism agencies said that the price drop comes at a time when airlines have maintained relatively high levels of seat capacity and a number of flights to a number of destinations, coinciding with a lull in demand after the end of the summer travel season, which has strengthened price competition and prompted airlines to offer deals to attract travellers and stimulate bookings.Prices have droppedSpecifically, airfare prices from the UAE to a number of Arab destinations witnessed a reduction during September 2026, recording their lowest levels since the beginning of this year, with some direct round-trip flights starting at around Dh1,000, according to a survey of available ticket prices at the time of monitoring.According to the survey results, the average price of a basic ticket for direct flights to Cairo was around Dh2,400 in July, compared to a price of around Dh1,200 in September, while prices for flights to Amman decreased from an average of around Dh2,500 in July to around Dh1,200 in September.As for Damascus, the ticket price dropped from about Dh2,600 in July to about Dh1,400 in September, while flight prices to Beirut dropped from an average of about Dh2,600 in July to about Dh1,000 in September.September prices also show lower levels for other Arab destinations, with the price being around Dh1,000 to Cairo-Sphinx Airport, Dh1,100 to Alexandria, and Dh1,100 to Aleppo.These prices reflect the minimum available tickets at the time of the survey and do not necessarily represent the average travel prices on these routes. Some of them are for basic economy class flights, which may not include additional services, such as checked baggage or seat selection, meaning that the final cost of the ticket may increase when those services are added.Airfare prices are heavily influenced by the booking date, travel date, airline, number of seats remaining on the flight, as well as the services included in the ticket price, and therefore prices may vary significantly even for the same destination.Demand is decliningAlaa Al-Ali, director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel, said the decline in demand is pushing airlines to offer price promotions on a number of destinations. Picture credit: SuppliedAlaa Al-Ali, director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel, said that the decline in airfare prices during the current period is mainly related to the end of the peak summer travel season, noting that prices are returning to calmer levels as demand decreases, compared to the peak period.Al-Ali explained that the decline in demand is pushing airlines to offer price promotions on a number of destinations in order to stimulate bookings and raise seat occupancy rates on flights.He added that average prices are mainly related to the number of flights and the size of the seat capacity on each destination, noting that some Arab destinations are witnessing continuous demand and high occupancy rates, but airlines may resort, during periods when demand is low, to offering more competitive prices and offers to attract travellers and encourage them to book.He stated that travellers planning to travel during this period can benefit from lower prices, especially when booking in advance, noting that the price difference may reach up to about 30% in some cases, depending on the destination, travel date, and seat availability.Seating capacity impacts priceAl-Ali explained that airfare prices are directly related to the size of the seat capacity provided by airlines, in addition to the level of demand. A high number of available seats with low demand leads to increased price competition, while the opposite occurs when bookings increase and flights approach full capacity.He predicted that prices would gradually rise again with the arrival of the November travel season, with the possibility of even greater increases during periods of high demand and limited seat availability. He emphasised that the timing of booking remains a key factor in determining the final ticket price. He also noted that if airlines resort to reducing capacity, prices could rise even further, compared to current levels.Balance of supply and demandGeneral manager of Belhasa Tourism Company, Narouz Sarkis, said that airfare prices for flights during September have declined. Picture credit: SuppliedFor his part, the general manager of Belhasa Tourism Company, Narouz Sarkis, said that airfare prices for flights during September have declined, and are at their lowest levels since the beginning of this year, noting that airlines continue to operate flight schedules and seat capacity during September that are close to the peak levels of the summer season.He explained that the continued provision of a large number of seats by airlines on various destinations, coinciding with a decline in demand after the end of the peak summer travel season, contributed to keeping ticket prices at competitive levels, noting that the market is witnessing a balance between the supply of seats and current demand levels.He predicted that the decline in ticket prices would extend into October, as airlines gradually move to prepare for the new season, while continuing to offer competitive prices to some destinations during the transitional period between the two travel seasons.Sarkis stated that current price levels do not differ significantly from those during the same period last year, noting that prices recorded during September are within ranges close to last year's prices, despite the different operating conditions and demand from one destination to another.He pointed out that price movements in the coming months will remain mainly linked to demand levels and the size of the seat capacity allocated by airlines to each destination, with the possibility of prices changing up or down depending on the pace of bookings and seat availability.Travel dates matterDr Haitham Al-Hajj Ali, CEO of Dubai Link Group, said the price difference is mainly related to the end of the summer travel season and the return of demand to more moderate levels. Picture credit: SuppliedFor his part, Dr Haitham Al-Hajj Ali, CEO of Dubai Link Group, which specialises in tourism and travel services, said that the decline in airfare prices from the UAE to a number of Arab destinations, including Cairo, Damascus, Amman and Beirut, during September, is mainly related to the end of the summer travel season and the return of demand to more moderate levels, noting that prices are at their lowest levels for September flights since the beginning of this year.He explained that the months of June, July and August usually witness a significant increase in demand for travel from the Emirates, driven by school holidays, summer vacations and family travel, which is directly reflected in ticket prices, especially to destinations that witness strong family travel activity.He added that the price decrease in September does not necessarily mean that all flights have become cheaper, as prices vary according to the day of travel, the time of booking, the airline, and the availability of seats on the same flight, noting that in some cases, the traveller can achieve significant savings if he is flexible in choosing the travel date.Hajj Ali explained that September and October typically represent a transitional period between the peak summer season and the following travel seasons. Therefore, prices in several Arab destinations are more attractive compared to the summer months, especially for travellers not bound by school holiday schedules. He pointed out that airlines dynamically base their pricing on supply and demand. Consequently, the availability of seats on flights during periods of low demand prompts carriers to offer lower fare tiers, while prices tend to rise again as the flight approaches and booking rates increase.He stressed that the biggest beneficiary of this decline is the traveler who is flexible with his schedule, especially those who can choose midweek days or book during periods when demand is low, as the price differences between one flight and another in the same month can be significant.
