9 affordable airline alternatives as Wizz Air leaves Abu Dhabi
The airline offered low-cost travel from the UAE capital for under Dhs1,000 to several top destinations in the region and in Europe.
But there are a number of international and UAE-based airlines that will also get you to dream holiday destinations in the region, Europe, Asia and Africa.
The majority of carriers listed below also fly directly from DXB, so there's no need to travel to Abu Dhabi first.
9 affordable airlines from the UAE
Air Arabia
(Credit: Air Arabia)
Air Arabia is a great low-cost airline option for UAE-based travellers. Operating out of the neighbouring emirates of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, the airline currently travels to more than 170 destinations across the GCC, Asia, Africa and Europe. There are several options for under Dhs1,000 for a round-trip with the carrier, including the likes of Amman, Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.
airarabia.com
Air India Express
Credit: (Instagram/airindiax)
Low-cost Indian airline Air India Express operates several routes from Dubai with prices for one-way flights listed as low as Dhs220. Destinations include most major Indian cities including Chennai, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai.
airindiaexpress.com
AJet
(Credit: AJet)
Turkish low-cost airline AJet operates flights to several popular European and North African destinations from Dubai. Formerly branded as AnadoluJet, AJet has low-cost routes from Dubai to top destinations such as Algiers, Berlin, Brussels and Vienna in addition to major Turkish cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. The cheapest rate starts from around Dhs340 to Istanbul.
ajet.com
Cebu Pacific
(Credit: Cebu Pacific)
Filipino low-cost airline Cebu Pacific operates a direct route between Manila and Dubai, which is typically priced at around Dhs1,000 for a round-trip. The airline will regularly hold seat sales throughout the year, which sees significant price drops for flights between the UAE and the Philippines.
cebupacificair.com
flynas
(Credit: flynas)
Saudi low-cost airline operates several routes from Dubai to popular destinations in the region and further afield. Destinations include the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, the Belgian capital of Brussels and the Egyptian capital of Cairo, in addition to several Saudi Arabian cities such as Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh.
flynas.com
flydubai
(Credit: flydubai)
DXB-based flydubai operates routes to more than 120 destinations worldwide, including several popular holiday destinations. Top getaways include the likes of Tbilisi, Yerevan, Istanbul, Milan, Colombo and Bucharest from under Dhs1,000 one-way. The airline will also operate seasonal schedules during summer and winter.
flydubai.com
Jazeera Airways
Affordable flights from Dubai (Credit: Jazeera Airways)
Kuwaiti low-cost airline Jazeera Airways operates multiple routes from Dubai to Kuwait and across the region. Popular routes include Almaty, Cairo, Colombo and Doha all from under Dhs1,000.
jazeeraairways.com
Pegasus Airlines
Pegasus Airlines is an affordable airline with UAE-based routes (Credit: Pegasus Airlines)
Another Turkish low-cost airline operating routes from Dubai, Pegasus Airlines offers a direct route to Istanbul for under Dhs1,000. With a stopover via Istanbul, you can also get to Paris, Rome and Madrid for under Dhs1,000.
flypgs.com
SalamAir
(Credit: SalamAir)
Low-cost Omani airline SalamAir offers flights from Dubai for under Dhs1,000 across the GCC as well as further afield. In addition to its route to Muscat, SalamAir offers Dubai-based travellers options to Thailand, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and India, all priced from less than Dhs1,000.
Making summer plans?
Too hot? 70 cool indoor activities in Dubai to tick off this summer
Consider this your ultimate summer bucket list
7 picture-perfect breakfast spots in Dubai worth waking up early for
Elevate the start of your day
The best (and most luxe) night swim spots in Dubai to try this summer
Including free entry to a top hotel pool
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
2 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Interiors Agency has Designs on British Title after being Named Only Welsh Finalist
Anglesey-based Mairead and Co Interiors is a finalist in this year's BIID Interior Design Awards 2025. Founder Mairead Turner and studio manager Lauren Morgan-Clarke are flying the flag as the only Welsh agency shortlisted this year. Their standout project is The Papered House, a listed Georgian property in Beaumaris which has been transformed into a holiday retreat. 'It's such an honour to be recognised by the British Institute of Interior Design,' said Mairead. 'To be the only Welsh finalist makes it even more special as it really validates all the hard work we've put in, especially as someone who's self-trained. It's incredibly encouraging as we take on bigger and more exciting projects.' Mairead's journey into interiors began in a very different world – the performing arts. After two decades in dance production, she pivoted careers and founded Mairead and Co Interiors in 2019. Married to Robin – co-founder of Dylan's Restaurant group – and mum to daughters Marnie and Orla, Mairead now juggles family life with a growing design portfolio that spans both private homes and public spaces. One of the team's most ambitious recent undertakings is the internal and external redesign of Caffi Meinir at Nant Gwrtheyrn, a former quarry village nestled on the Llŷn Peninsula. Looking back, her passion for design sparked when she renovated the family home in Penmon. 'When we moved to North Wales, Robin was working non-stop while still running his café in Leeds and I was home with two little ones and working for The Arts Council,' she said. 'That's when I decided to pour my energy into revamping the house. My dad has always been hands-on with property renovations, so it wasn't totally alien to me. But this time, I had the freedom to really express myself. 'I didn't set out with a grand plan, I was just following my instincts and people seemed to love the results,' she said. That momentum led to the creation of Mairead and Co Interiors, and later, to the transformation of The Papered House, developed in collaboration with architect Adrian Williamson and a team of trusted local craftspeople and suppliers. 'This project was a dream, the clients gave us total trust to deliver a full turnkey service,' she said. 'We designed and sourced everything from the floors and kitchen fittings right down to the light bulbs. It was a huge responsibility, but also incredibly rewarding. 'The end result is elegant, inviting, and full of character and to see it now recognised on a national platform still feels surreal – I keep having to pinch myself.' Looking ahead, Mairead hopes to expand the studio, take on more commercial, residential, heritage, and conservation work, and inspire the next generation of designers. 'There's so much young talent out there, but not everyone sees interior design as a viable career,' she said. 'Yes, it can be demanding, but it's also joyful, creative, and deeply rewarding. Helping clients bring their vision to life – you just can't beat that feeling.' The BIID judging panel will conduct site visits over the summer, with final winners announced at a glittering awards ceremony at Drapers' Hall in London on October 23.
Time Out
4 hours ago
- Time Out
Tokyo ranked as one of the best cities in the world for nighttime tourism
While Tokyo is great to explore any time of day, it truly comes alive at night – it's a 24-hour city through and through, as we explored in our latest 24 Hours in Tokyo issue. The capital is widely praised for its safety, stunning night views and affordability, making it a top-tier choice for travellers worldwide. The folks over at UK-based travel booking site Travelbag seem to agree, as they've just listed Tokyo as one of the top destinations for evening tourism in their ranking of the most beautiful cities come sundown. Responding to growing interest in nighttime tourism, Travelbag compiled the ranking by evaluating factors such as Instagram hashtag volume, light pollution levels, safety after dark, and the number of late-night venues across cities worldwide. On their list of the ten most beautiful long-haul cities (as seen from the UK, presumably) at night, Tokyo came in at number two, trailing only New York City. According to the survey, Tokyo is a great place to spend an evening thanks to its lively alleyways like Shinjuku's Golden Gai, a plethora of local izakaya, and a stunning cityscape that blends futuristic lights with traditional aesthetics. Tokyo was also praised for its plethora of options when it comes to hanging out at night, with nearly 1,000 venues open late into the evening. Additionally, the city scored a respectable 75 out of 100 for its nighttime safety. Along with Tokyo, Kyoto made the list in sixth place. The old capital doesn't have nearly as many late-night venues, with just over 110 spots, but it scored impressively high on the safety scale, earning an 83 out of 100. Here's the full top ten ranking: New York City, USA Tokyo, Japan Dubai, UAE Singapore, Singapore Muscat, Oman Kyoto, Japan Sydney, Australia Seoul, South Korea Toronto, Canada Melbourne, Australia For more information on the ranking, visit the website. More from Time Out Tokyo The Fuji Rock timetable for 2025 is here The timetable for Summer Sonic 2025 is out now 4 Tokyo bars named in the World's 50 Best Bars 2025 list Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition
Time Out
12 hours ago
- Time Out
One of California's go-to budget airlines is ceasing its West Coast operations
California's skies are about to get a little less budget-friendly. Avelo Airlines, the ultra-low-cost carrier that made Hollywood Burbank Airport its West Coast home base, has announced it's packing up and pulling out—completely. On Monday, Avelo confirmed it will cease all West Coast operations by Dec. 2, 2025, ending a four-year run that made the airline a favorite for no-frills fliers hopping between SoCal, NorCal, Oregon and beyond. Once heralded as a post-pandemic disruptor, Avelo's California debut was bold, launching amid COVID-era uncertainty in 2021 with cut-rate fares and routes to underserved airports. At its peak, Burbank was Avelo's crown jewel, accounting for nearly a third of the airline's passengers. It even flew its one-millionth guest out of BUR in 2023. But as competition tightened and operational costs rose, the airline's West Coast strategy no longer made sense, said CEO Andrew Levy. 'We believe the continuation of service from [Hollywood Burbank Airport] in the current operating environment will not deliver adequate financial returns in a highly competitive backdrop,' Levy told KTLA, noting that Avelo will instead focus on 'more efficient longer-term growth' back East. The drawdown begins immediately: Burbank will go from a mini-fleet to a solo aircraft by mid-August before disappearing from Avelo's map entirely this winter. The airline's California-based employees have been offered the chance to relocate to one of Avelo's eight other bases, including Hartford, Charlotte and Wilmington (Delaware, not North Carolina), all firmly planted east of the Mississippi. Passengers with upcoming bookings can cancel online for a refund. Though some observers have linked the West Coast retreat to recent backlash over Avelo's controversial ICE deportation charter program (operated out of Arizona, not California), the airline insists the decision was purely financial. Still, the news will sting for budget-minded travelers who once praised Avelo for bringing back some of the simplicity—and affordability—of flying short-haul in California.
