The cost of airline tickets in the UAE has dropped by 35%

Over the past 12 years, the cost of airline tickets in the UAE has dropped by 35%, driven by growing market competition and the rapid development of low-cost carriers. This was highlighted in a recent study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

According to the report, from 2011 to 2023, the real average ticket price in the UAE significantly declined. This trend aligns with a global pattern: over the last 50 years, airfares worldwide have fallen by 70%, making air travel increasingly accessible to the public.

In the UAE, the decline in prices has been fueled by an increase in the number of carriers. New budget airlines such as Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have entered the market. Leading players like Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, and Air Arabia now operate hundreds of routes across the globe, offering passengers — particularly those seeking affordable travel — a wider range of options.

The country has seven international airports that provide direct flights to 304 airports in 109 countries. More than 850 flights depart from the UAE each day, and a total of 126 airlines currently operate in the country. Over the past five years, 162 new international routes have been launched.

According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, the UAE holds a strategic position in global aviation. Its advanced infrastructure, favorable geographic location, and flexible regulatory framework have created ideal conditions for industry growth, bringing major economic benefits through tourism, trade, and job creation.

Based on the UAE’s current income levels (an average of AED 15,000 per month per capita), a resident needs to work approximately 1.9 days to afford a flight. By contrast, in most Western countries, travelers work between 3 to 5 days for a ticket, while in lower-income regions such as India, Africa, or CIS countries, a person may need to work more than two weeks to afford air travel.