Airfares in the UAE and globally are likely to increase due to a shortage of available seats, as several local and global airlines face delays in receiving new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing, reports Khaleej Times. This shortage is expected to affect the availability of seats during the summer travel season, traditionally the busiest time of the year for air travel.
Ross Veitch, CEO and co-founder of the flight booking app Wego, commented on the situation, saying, “Summer is the peak as people travel out of the region to escape the heat. There are going to be capacity constraints which might lead to a rise in prices this summer.” He further advised that due to these supply constraints, travelers should consider booking their flights soon.
The delays have been attributed to both Boeing and European maker Airbus. In February, Airbus delayed some aircraft deliveries scheduled for late 2024 and 2025 by several months.
Top executives at Emirates expressed dissatisfaction with Boeing, as the delays are affecting their plans for route expansion and fleet refurbishment.
Additionally, dnata Travel reported significant increases in bookings for popular holiday destinations. Meerah Ketait, head of retail and leisure UAE at dnata Travel, noted substantial growth in travel bookings to the Maldives, the USA, Thailand, Turkey, and the UK. “UAE-based travelers are exploring more of the world, including new locations across popular hotspots. This year our travelers are making the most of trying somewhere new,” Ketait said.
The report also highlighted that 65 percent of dnata Travel’s bookings so far this summer are for international destinations, with the remaining 35 percent covering UAE staycations, indicating a robust demand for travel during this period.
