UAE families planning summer holidays could save nearly Dhs2,000 on return flights by choosing cheaper travel weeks, according to new travel insights from Skyscanner.
The findings show that 47 per cent of UAE travellers have not yet booked their summer holidays and are still looking for flights. Skyscanner’s analysis found that the week starting August 31 is the cheapest overall period to fly during the summer.
The data also challenges the view held by many travellers that July offers the lowest airfares, with 52 per cent of UAE travellers believing it is the cheapest month to travel.
Flight savings
Cairo was among the destinations offering the biggest potential savings. Average return flights to Cairo cost about Dhs1,592 per traveller during the summer, compared with around Dhs1,105 during the week starting August 17.
This difference could save a traveller about Dhs487, or nearly Dhs1,949 for a family of four.
Tokyo also showed notable savings, with return fares averaging Dhs1,686 during the week starting August 31 compared with the summer average of Dhs2,209. This could reduce costs by about Dhs522 per person, or more than Dhs2,000 for a family of four.
Travel flexibility
Skyscanner said the cheapest travel period differs depending on the destination. While August 31 offers the best overall value across the analysed destinations, routes such as Cairo, Tokyo and Denpasar may have lower fares during different weeks.
The report found that UAE travellers expect to spend an average of Dhs1,433 per person on flights for an overseas summer holiday. However, only 33 per cent said they have flexibility around their travel dates, while 27 per cent said school holidays and other commitments limit when they can travel.
Seventeen per cent of travellers also identified fixed dates and uncertainty around routes as major challenges when planning summer trips.
Booking tips
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “Summer travel planning has become increasingly complex, particularly for families balancing school calendars, budgets and changing flight prices. Our data shows that travellers do not necessarily need to compromise on their preferred destination to find better value. Checking a wider range of dates and comparing the cheapest weeks can uncover substantial savings, which can then be put towards accommodation, experiences or simply making the overall holiday more affordable.”
Skyscanner advised travellers to compare fares across different weeks before booking, as flight prices can change depending on demand and availability. Checking prices regularly and reviewing options across an entire month can help travellers find lower-cost flights.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
