There is a huge demand for air travel to the most popular Arab destinations, with a peak extending from mid-March to the first week of April, according to data from online platforms. This has led to an early rise in ticket prices for flights coinciding with this period, compared to January and February, with increases reaching up to 55%. According to two managers at travel agencies, the coincidence of several seasons and holidays in one period contributed to an early increase in demand for air travel, which was reflected in prices that started to rise more than a month before the upcoming travel peak. They noted that this peak coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, spring break, and also Easter, and advised travelers to plan their trips in advance and book tickets as early as possible to avoid consecutive price hikes and secure better options in terms of timing and cost. In detail, data from online platforms showed that demand for air travel to the most popular Arab destinations is experiencing a large peak extending from mid-March to the first week of April, which has led to an early rise in ticket prices for flights during this period compared to January and February. According to data tracked by 'Emirates Today', ticket prices for round-trip flights (for seven days) are already at high levels for flights during the peak period, with increases of up to 54% compared to average prices in January and February. The average increase in flight prices to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, reached about 52%, starting from the second half of March, compared to average prices in January and February, rising from 1,250 to 1,900 dirhams. The average increase to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, was about 55%, from 1,100 to 1,700 dirhams, followed by the Jordanian capital, Amman, with an increase of 46%, from 1,200 to 1,750 dirhams. The average increase in flight ticket prices to the Syrian capital, Damascus, was about 38%, from 1,200 to 1,650 dirhams, and to the Egyptian city of Alexandria by 36%, from 1,100 to 1,500 dirhams, for flights of one week starting from mid-March 2026, while some tourist destinations in the South Caucasus and Central Asia witnessed similar price increases. The data includes prices for direct round-trip flights, which are introductory prices subject to availability, and differ from 'flexible fares' that offer additional advantages to customers, including the possibility of modification without fees, and other advantages. These prices do not include promotional offers made by airlines. Coinciding of Holidays The Executive Director of 'Sharif House' for Tourism and Travel, Sharif Al-Farm, said that the coincidence of several seasons and holidays in one period contributed to an early increase in demand for air travel, which was reflected in prices that started to rise more than a month before the upcoming travel peak. He added that the convergence of events such as religious holidays and spring break in a close timeframe created clear pressure on the flight capacity to a large number of stations, noting that airlines may resort to operating additional flights to cope with the increased demand during this period. He continued: 'This peak coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, spring break, and also Easter, so we expect significant pressure on air travel.' Al-Farm confirmed that some markets are witnessing a continuous tourism demand that is not limited to seasonal visits, which enhances occupancy levels and increases travel costs as the peak season approaches. He noted that prices for recent bookings to the most popular Arab destinations, such as Cairo, Amman, Damascus, and Beirut, may reach high levels based on the current price level. He said that current prices are an early indicator of a crowded travel season, expecting a gradual increase in air ticket prices in the coming weeks as flight dates approach, advising travelers to plan their trips in advance and book tickets as early as possible to avoid consecutive price increases and secure better options in terms of timing and cost. Noticeable Changes On the other hand, the General Manager of 'Al-Owaidhi Travel', Amin Al-Owaidhi, stated that the data indicates the beginning of an early rise in demand for air travel with the approach of mid-March, reflecting a noticeable change in traveler behavior compared to previous months. He explained that the high demand during this period covered the most popular Arab destinations and appeared a sufficient period before the usual peak, leading to a noticeable increase in ticket prices already compared to prices at the beginning of the year. Al-Owaidhi added that air travel is witnessing a significant increase, starting from the second half of March and continuing until the first week of April, in conjunction with spring break and the Eid al-Fitr holiday. He confirmed that this period witnesses intense activity on all flights, both to the usual Arab destinations that residents of the country visit to see relatives, and to tourist destinations, including relatively nearby resorts where travelers seek to take advantage of the vacation for a tourist holiday. Al-Owaidhi advised travelers to plan their bookings in advance to guarantee seat availability, as well as to carefully read the terms and conditions before completing the booking and to take advantage of the benefits offered by airlines, including flexibility in travel dates and modification options without additional fees. He said that adopting flexible dates and early booking helps travelers secure their flights at suitable prices, especially during this period when the market is experiencing intense activity, pointing out that advance planning becomes a necessity, not a choice, during peak times due to the heavy pressure on seats and the high turnout to the most popular destinations. Al-Owaidi expects air ticket prices to continue to rise in the coming period, noting that prices will depend on the strength of demand and the level of flight occupancy, especially to the most popular destinations, including Arab stations. • Ticket prices to Cairo rose from 1,100 to 1,700 dirhams compared to their levels in January and February.
