Travel agencies consider the current price increases for airline tickets to be natural and slight, at acceptable levels, given the limited flight schedules operated by regional airlines, which results in lower seating capacity. Some carriers have also suspended flights to certain destinations, and there is the cost of fuel. Agencies forecast a greater increase in airfare prices if full flight operations resume.
Airfare prices to several of the most in-demand Arab destinations showed varied levels for direct and indirect flights for seven days in the first week of April 2026, compared to the same period in April 2025. Price increases averaged between 15% and 25% during the comparison period, according to a survey covering destinations: Cairo and Alexandria, Amman, Beirut, and Damascus. Notably, the beginning of April 2025 coincided with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the return from vacations, when ticket prices were relatively high, while airlines continue to operate a limited flight schedule.
In detail, airfare prices to several of the most in-demand Arab destinations showed varied levels for direct and indirect flights for seven days (the first week of April 2026), compared to the same period in 2025. Price increases averaged between 15% and 25% during the comparison period, according to a survey covering cities: Cairo and Alexandria, Amman, Beirut, and Damascus. The comparison period (the first week of April) coincided with the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the return from vacations during the same period in 2025, when airfare prices were at relatively high levels.
According to survey data, the average airfare to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, reached about 1,800 dirhams, to the Syrian capital, Damascus, 2,100 dirhams, and to the Jordanian capital, Amman, 2,200 dirhams. Meanwhile, the Lebanese capital, Beirut, recorded an average price of about 2,500 dirhams, while the average airfare to the Egyptian city of Alexandria was about 1,700 dirhams.
Additionally, Beirut and Amman recorded the highest increase rates, reaching around 25%, followed by Damascus at 20%, and Cairo and Alexandria at approximately 15%. These are introductory prices, subject to availability, and change based on demand volume and booking timing, especially with growing travel interest. These price levels cover a seven-day period.
This occurs as airlines currently operate a limited flight schedule to these destinations, whether direct or indirect, which affects price levels and increases the likelihood of their fluctuation in the near future.
The CEO of the travel agency 'Sharif House', Sharif Al-Farm, stated that 'the average increase in airfare prices to the most in-demand Arab destinations, such as Beirut, Amman, Cairo, Damascus, and Alexandria, ranges between 20% and 25% compared to the average prices at the beginning of this year.' He added that 'some destinations recorded higher price increases, while others had slight increases,' noting that the price increases to Syria are higher, as well as in Lebanon and Jordan, while the price increases to Egypt were slight.
He continued: 'Some destinations are experiencing high demand with strong load factors for departing or arriving flights,' noting that 'airlines are applying flexible policies for rebooking or modifying flights during this period, which gives clients flexibility in travel planning.'
He believes that the increases in ticket prices remain slight under these circumstances, also considering the rise in aircraft fuel costs, changes in flight schedules, limited flight operations, and some carriers suspending direct flights.
Meanwhile, the CEO of 'STS' in the 'Dubai Link' group, Salah Mansour, said: 'There is a strong demand for travel to some Arab destinations, including,' adding that 'with the disruption of air traffic and the cancellation of some flights, this led to a rise in prices over a short period, but the current price increases are at acceptable levels ranging from 15% to 20%, because airlines are operating a limited number of flights, and thus, lower capacity.'
He explained that 'prices are constantly changing based on flight schedules and operating conditions, and it is difficult to determine precise increase percentages.' Mansour continued: 'We expect a greater increase in prices if full flight operations resume, due to the significant increase in demand for travel, as most clients have postponed their travel plans, and a large segment of clients will travel again.'
In the same context, the CEO of 'Dubai World Travel Company', Badar Ahli, said: 'In light of many postponing their travel plans, and with the full resumption of flights and the complete opening of airspace, we expect an increase in average prices due to the high demand for travel,' noting that priority will be given to tickets for flights that have been rescheduled.
He added that the increase percentages vary from one destination to another, pointing out that some destinations are experiencing higher price increases due to the absence of direct flights, as they are reached via connecting points.
According to the General Manager of 'Al-Awaidi Travel Company', Amin Al-Awaidi, 'the increases in airfare prices are natural and at acceptable levels under the current circumstances,' noting that the price increases for some destinations are slight and vary from one destination to another according to the level and number of flights, whether direct or indirect.
He added that 'airlines are operating within a limited flight schedule,' pointing out that there is another factor, which is the rise in fuel prices, and thus, an increase in operating costs for airlines.
He also pointed out that the increases in airfare prices are linked to another variable, which is that there are flights to certain destinations that are indirect.
Travel agencies expect a greater increase in airfare prices if full flight operations resume.
