Mid-March travel peak raises ticket prices to Arab destinations by up to 55%

Demand for air travel to the most popular Arab destinations is witnessing a significant peak extending from mid-next March until the first week of April, according to website data, which was reflected in an early rise in ticket prices for flights that coincide with this period, compared to their levels in January and February, by rates reaching 55%.

Two managers at two travel agencies said that the coincidence of a number of seasons and holidays in one period contributed to raising levels of demand for air travel early, which was reflected in prices that began to rise more than a month before the next travel peak. They pointed out that this peak coincides with the Eid al-Fitr and “spring school” holidays, in addition to Easter. They advised travelers to plan their trips in advance and book as early as possible, to avoid successive price increases, and to ensure better options in terms of dates. And the cost.

Early rise

In detail, website data showed that demand for air travel to the most popular Arab destinations is witnessing a significant peak extending from mid-next March until the first week of April, which was reflected in an early rise in ticket prices for flights that coincide with this period compared to their levels in January and February.

According to data monitored by Emirates Today, travel ticket prices for trips (round trip for seven days) have now reached high levels for flights during the peak period, with rates reaching about 54% compared to the average flight 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 next March, compared to the average prices in January and February, rising from 1,250 dirhams to 1,900 dirhams, while the average increase to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, reached about 55%, from 1,100 dirhams to 1,700 dirhams, followed by the Jordanian capital, Amman, by 46% from 1,200 dirhams. To 1750 dirhams.

The average increase in flight ticket prices to the Syrian capital, Damascus, was about 38%, from 1,200 dirhams to 1,650 dirhams, and to the Egyptian city of Alexandria, by 36%, from 1,100 dirhams to 1,500 dirhams, for trips for a week, starting in mid-March 2026, at a time when some tourist stations in the South Caucasus and Central Asia witnessed similar increases in prices.

The data includes prices for direct round-trip flights, which are starting prices subject to availability, and differ from “flexible prices” that provide additional benefits to customers, including the possibility of modification without fees, and other benefits. These prices do not include promotional offers offered by airline companies.

Holidays coincide

The CEO of Sharif House Tourism and Travel Company, Sharif Al-Farm, said that the coincidence of a number of seasons and holidays in one period of time contributed to raising levels of demand for air travel early, which was reflected in prices that began to rise more than a month before the next travel peak.

He added that the combination of events such as religious holidays and the school spring break at a close time has created clear pressure on the capacity of flights to a large part of the stations, pointing out that airlines may resort to operating additional flights to keep pace with the increasing demand during this period.

He continued: “This peak coincides with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the spring school holidays, and also Easter, and therefore we expect great pressure on flights.”

Al-Farm confirmed that some markets are witnessing continuous tourist demand that is not limited to seasonal visits, which enhances occupancy levels and raises the cost of travel as the peak date approaches.

He pointed out that the prices of recent reservations to the most popular Arab destinations, such as Cairo, Amman, Damascus, and Beirut, may reach significant rates based on the current level of prices.

He said that the current prices reflect early indicators of a busy travel season, and he expects that air ticket prices will witness gradual increases in the coming weeks as flight dates approach. He advises travelers to plan their trips in advance and book as early as possible, to avoid successive price increases and ensure better options in terms of timings and costs.

Noticeable change

For his part, the General Manager of Al-Awadhi Travel Company, Amin Al-Awadhi, said that the data indicates the beginning of an early rise in demand for flights as mid-March approaches, which reflects a noticeable change in travelers’ behavior compared to previous months. He explained that the high demand in this period included the most popular Arab destinations, and appeared well before the usual peak, which led to a noticeable rise in ticket prices from now on compared to price levels at the beginning of the new year.

Al-Awadhi added that air travel is witnessing a significant increase starting from mid-March until the first week of April, coinciding with the spring school holidays and Eid al-Fitr.

He stressed that this period witnesses intense activity on all flights, whether to the usual Arab destinations that the country’s residents go to for the purpose of visiting relatives, or tourist destinations, including relatively nearby stations, as travelers seek to take advantage of the leave to spend a tourist vacation.

Al-Awadhi advised travelers to plan their reservations in advance to ensure seat availability, and to read the terms and conditions carefully before completing the reservation, 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 reasonable prices, especially during this period in which the market is witnessing intense movement, pointing out that advance planning becomes a necessity, not an option during peak times due to the great pressure on seats and the high demand for the most popular destinations.

Al-Awadhi expected that airline ticket prices would continue to rise during the coming period, pointing out that prices would depend on the strength of demand and the volume of occupancy on flights, especially to the most popular destinations, including Arab stations.

• Ticket prices to Cairo increased from 1,100 dirhams to 1,700 dirhams compared to their levels in January and February.