Muscat – The surge in demand has resulted in manifold increases in ticket prices and fully booked flights to popular destinations.

According to travel representatives that The Arabian Stories spoke to, the high season is in full swing, with airfare prices skyrocketing due to the extended Eid break coinciding with school vacations. A representative from a local travel agency highlighted the dynamic nature of airline pricing, which differs significantly from fixed-price retail models.

“Airline fares don’t work on a fixed rate. One-way ticket fares to popular destinations like Kochi can go up to RO 300 or more depending on demand and availability,” the representative explained.
The Eid holidays have triggered a substantial increase in travel, with airlines capitalizing on the high demand. Even destinations such as Kannur have seen a sharp rise in fares due to limited competition. Conversely, routes with multiple carriers like Kochi offer slightly more competitive prices.
However, one-way fare to Kochi is currently priced at around RO 150, with fares reaching up to RO 230. Despite the steep prices, flights are fully booked, with passengers willing to pay as much as RO 300 for a ticket.

The increase in fares is not limited to Indian destinations. High demand is also affecting flights to Europe, Turkey, and emerging hotspots like Baku in Azerbaijan. This trend reflects a broader preference for short and medium-haul destinations due to ease of travel and quick escapes during the Eid break.
The situation is further aggravated by limited seat availability. Travel agents report flights to popular destinations like Kochi, Goa, Trivandrum and Mumbai in India, as well as Turkey, and Kazakhstan, are getting fully booked.

Travel experts note that the surge in prices is driven by basic economic principles of supply and demand. “When demand outstrips supply, prices naturally go higher,” one expert commented. The combination of Eid holidays and school vacations has created an unprecedented spike in demand, resulting in near-capacity bookings across all sectors.

In addition to high airfares, obtaining visas for European destinations has become challenging due to fully booked appointment slots at embassies, pushing travelers towards alternative destinations.
Despite the challenges, many are still managing to secure last-minute bookings, albeit at much higher prices.