Flydubai Flight Suspensions Cause Airfare Surges to Asia

The suspension of Flydubai flights to Israel has significantly impacted air travel to the East, with seat availability decreasing and prices soaring. Flydubai was a key carrier for Israelis traveling to Asian destinations via Dubai. A ynet investigation reveals that flights to Manila, Bangkok, Phuket, Tokyo, and Sri Lanka have seen unusually high prices in recent days, sometimes several times higher than just a week prior.

Etihad Airways is currently the only airline operating direct flights between Tel Aviv and the UAE, and has increased its Abu Dhabi service from two to eight flights daily. However, this increase has not compensated for the reduced capacity, particularly for passengers continuing to the East. For example, a one-way ticket from Tel Aviv to Manila with a stop in Abu Dhabi, previously available for $447, is now priced at $1,966, with very few seats remaining. By early October, economy class seats were unavailable, with business class tickets costing around $2,500.

Similar price hikes are evident for other destinations. Round-trip flights to Phuket in early October range from $1,958 to $2,421, while flights to Tokyo via Abu Dhabi start at $2,611. Tickets to Sri Lanka with Etihad are priced from $1,585, compared to the usual $800-$1,100. Even alternative routes with Israeli carriers like Arkia and El Al show significant increases, with flights to Phuket starting at $2,198 and to Bangkok at $1,658 or higher.

Yoni Waxman, Deputy Chairman of Ofir Tours, stated that Dubai serves as a crucial transit point for Israelis traveling to destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and India. The reduction in available seats has naturally led to upward pressure on prices. He advises travelers planning trips in the near future not to wait until the last minute, as further price increases are expected, especially with upcoming high-demand periods. Even bookings for winter travel show substantial price jumps compared to late September.