Airfares in the United Arab Emirates have risen sharply ahead of Eid Al Fitr, as strong outbound and inbound travel demand places pressure on airline capacity, aligning the country with similar price increases seen in Saudi Arabia, parts of Europe, Japan and Thailand.

Travel agencies in the UAE report a pronounced spike in bookings for regional and long-haul destinations in the days leading up to the Islamic holiday, traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Popular routes to South Asia, Southeast Asia and key European cities have seen particularly strong demand, driving ticket prices higher compared with off-peak periods.

Airlines operating from Dubai and Abu Dhabi have added select seasonal services and adjusted frequencies, yet industry analysts note that demand continues to outpace available seats on certain high-traffic routes.

The result has been a noticeable rise in last-minute fares, especially for economy-class travel.

Similar patterns have been observed in Saudi Arabia, where outbound holiday travel and pilgrimage-related journeys have lifted ticket prices.

Across Europe and Japan, school holidays and seasonal tourism flows have also contributed to elevated fares, creating a broader global trend of tightening airline capacity during peak travel windows.

Thailand, a key leisure destination for Gulf travellers, has likewise experienced fare increases amid strong inbound tourism and regional holiday movement.

Hospitality operators in major Thai cities report high occupancy levels coinciding with the surge.

Aviation analysts say the convergence of religious holidays, spring travel demand and constrained aircraft supply has amplified pricing pressures.

While fuel costs have stabilised compared with previous volatility, aircraft delivery delays and maintenance cycles continue to limit rapid capacity expansion across many carriers.

Travel advisors are encouraging passengers to book well in advance for future peak periods, noting that dynamic pricing models adjust fares quickly in response to booking trends.

Despite higher costs, forward bookings suggest that travel appetite remains resilient.

The current fare escalation underscores the global nature of seasonal demand cycles, with interconnected aviation markets responding simultaneously to concentrated holiday travel across multiple regions.