Flights into Abu Dhabi just got cheaper as Etihad cuts fares on key routes before peak summer prices return
Airfares into Abu Dhabi are quietly dropping, with Etihad Airways cutting prices on selected routes by as much as 50 per cent. The shift comes as travel demand across the Middle East softens, a slowdown linked to ongoing regional tensions. The move was first reported by The National.
Right now, the cheapest tickets sit in that sweet spot before summer kicks in. April, May and June are where the deals are. After that, prices climb again as peak travel season takes over. A quick look at Etihad’s bookings shows just how wide the gap is. Flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Narita are currently around £727 for late spring travel. Come July and August, that jumps to anywhere between £1,000 and £1,500.
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It is a similar story on other long-haul routes. Bangkok to Paris sits at about 24,405 Thai baht for now, before rising well above 30,000 baht in summer. From Hong Kong to Barcelona, fares start around HK$4,622 and can more than double during peak months. Interestingly, flights departing from Abu Dhabi have not seen the same drop. The cuts are mostly on routes heading into the capital, suggesting airlines are trying to nudge travellers back into booking.
There is a clear hesitation in the market. Some travellers are waiting things out, others are rethinking plans altogether. Lower fares are one way to keep planes full without making too much noise about it.
For now, it works. A cheaper ticket can be enough to turn a maybe into a yes.
But it may not last. If demand picks up or operating costs rise, these prices could disappear just as quickly as they arrived. For travellers watching their budgets, this window feels like one to catch before it closes.
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