2.14 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Airlines cut ticket fares to spur Ramadan travel

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

Travel deals are luring passengers with the onset of the holy month of Ramadan, as major carriers offer up to 20 per cent discount on airfare.
 
Emirates, Etihad Airways and British Airways have already announced deals that include discounts on travel across the Middle East, Europe, the Far East and the Americas.
 
The Dubai-based Emirates has announced special fares to 32 select destinations, including Delhi, Bangkok, London, Beirut, Geneva, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Cairo, Manila and Johannesburg.
 
The special fares start from Dh1,075 return in economy class to Karachi and Dh3,025 return in business class to Delhi. Customers can save up to 20 per cent to certain destinations when travelling in economy or business class.
 
The offer is valid until August 20 for outbound travel until September 30.
 
“For many, Ramadan is an important time to be together as a family unit. The UAE is largely an expatriate community with family networks often spread around the globe. To help bring families together during the holy month Emirates has established these special fares,” said Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice President Commercial UAE in a statement.
 
Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways is offering a range of reduced rates on Coral Economy Class, Pearl Business Class and holiday packages for travel from Abu Dhabi to more than 20 worldwide destinations during Ramadan.
 
The special promotional rates are on sale now, applicable for travel through to September 30, with blackout dates applying for Coral class between August 25 and September 1, 2011.
 
Promotional airfares on Etihad include flights to Muscat from Dh485 on economy, while flights to Manchester, UK costs Dh17,175 on business class.
 
Hareb Almuhairy, Etihad’s Vice President UAE Sales, said: “Ramadan is a time of sharing, which is why we are so pleased to share these generous deals on some of Etihad’s most popular destinations. We encourage UAE residents to take advantage of the exceptional value on offer and make the holy month even more special with our award-winning services.”
 
And if local carriers are celebrating the spirit of Ramadan, the UK carrier, British Airways, is not going to be left out.
 
Available on bookings made to London, Heathrow and beyond before August 31, for travel from until 31 December 2011, customers can book return flights in Club World business class from Dh10,635, World Traveller Plus premium economy from Dh4,855 and World Traveller economy class from Dh2,595.
 
Paolo DeRenzis, Regional Commercial Manager said: “With Ramadan coinciding with the extreme temperatures of the summer months in the Middle East, British Airways’ great value travel packages offer people the option of spending the holy month in cooler climates.
 
“Together with our promise of providing nothing less than world-class quality products and services – all at great value for money – customers who book online can also take advantage of some great offers on hotel and car rental.”