Here's why flights in the UAE might be more expensive this summer

Time Out Abu Dhabi

8 hours ago

Jetting off this summer? Brace yourself. Whether it's a quick hop to Mumbai or a long-haul to New York, flight prices from the UAE are soaring.
Airspace restrictions across the region have led to ripple effects being felt across the skies, which means airlines are rerouting to avoid the no-fly zones and journeys are getting longer.
Ticket prices are also climbing fast. If you've been dreaming of European escapes, African safaris, or simply heading home for the holidays, you might've noticed your usual flight budget isn't cutting it.
Fare comparison sites like Skyscanner and Google Flights show prices from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas have jumped anywhere between 15 and 60 percent – all in less than a week (last week compared to this week).
For the UAE's massive Indian expat community, summer trips home are usually routine. This year, they're coming with serious sticker shock.
One-way tickets to cities like Mumbai and Delhi, which typically cost between Dh380 and Dh440, are now going for up to Dh800. That's nearly double – and if you're booking for the whole family, the cost hike adds up quickly.
If you're heading Stateside, flights to New York are averaging between Dh1,210 and Dh1,325 – a notable jump from the previous prices of around Dh1,030. Round-trip fares to cities like Chicago and Houston are now pushing Dh2,475, with longer flight times and steeper fuel costs behind the spike.
Flying to Nairobi? Prices have crept up from around Dh550 to as much as Dh750 for a one-way ticket. Round-trips are now averaging Dh1,195 – about 25 percent more than last week. Some airlines are even adding extra stopovers to reroute safely, increasing both travel time and overall hassle.
Even routes that don't directly pass over conflict zones are feeling the squeeze. Fares to destinations like Frankfurt have climbed by 25 percent, with traffic rerouted over more limited air corridors, causing delays and congestion.
Why are flight prices more expensive at the moment?
While the reason hasn't been confirmed, longer routes mean extra hours in the air, which means more fuel, more staffing and more logistical complexity – and could lead to higher fares.
Midweek departures or flying at off-peak times can still offer some relief. And flexible ticket options are your best bet in case plans suddenly shift. If you've got summer travel plans, get ahead of the surge and book wisely.
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