UAE residents planning European travel can now enjoy relief on two fronts – airfares to key EU destinations are on the decline, and, equally significant, Schengen visa processing times have reduced to two weeks or less. This is a significant improvement from the one to two months wait experienced between October and December.
With the prospect of trips to Europe on the horizon for UAE travelers, now is an opportune time to initiate the travel planning process. Shanawaz Khan, founder of Trips Away, specializing in travel packages to Europe, anticipates a surge in demand, particularly in April during the Eid holidays.
This trend follows an exceptional winter travel phase, where numerous UAE and GCC residents flocked to European holiday destinations over Christmas and New Year. However, the extended wait times for Schengen visa appointments, exceeding one month, presented a challenge.
As of now, European embassies in the UAE have opened booking slots, and visa processing times are averaging two weeks.
Airfares to various European cities have witnessed a decline to under Dh3,000. The expected surge in demand during the Eid holidays in April is likely to include trips to Spain, Switzerland, Italy, France, and Germany. Last year, travel demand to Europe surpassed 2019 levels.
Demand for visas in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, witnessing a 12% growth compared to 2019, according to Monaz Billimoria, Regional Head at VFS Global, the official document collection and processing agency for most Schengen nation visas in the UAE. Between 2021-23, there was an exponential 145% growth in visa applications.
Daniel Rosado, Director of the Spanish Tourism Office in Abu Dhabi and Counselor for Tourism Affairs at the Spanish Embassy in the UAE, supports this sentiment. He noted a 7.9% increase in projected seats from the UAE for Spain’s winter campaign, a 27% surge in searches from the UAE to Spain, and a 29.1% rise in airline bookings.
Despite a decrease in the average time spent in a single destination, Spain is witnessing increased expenditure by travelers, indicating a positive sentiment toward luxury travel.
Airlines are fiercely competing on key routes, leading to a drop in airfares. For instance, Economy fares from Dubai to Paris range from Dh1,424 (Wizz Air) to Dh2,965 (Emirates) for travel between January 10 and January 24, compared to highs of Dh4,500 in December.
Similarly, Abu Dhabi to Madrid fares are available from Dh1,134 to Dh3,135, compared to highs of Dh5,000 the previous month. Dubai to Zurich flights average Dh2,665-Dh2,945 (vs Dh4805). Seats on flights to Athens are available for Dh556, and Amsterdam fares are at Dh2,940.
Despite the drop in fares, Monaz suggests that UAE residents still book their visa processing appointments well in advance to avoid delays. Khan advises that wait times tend to get longer during busy travel seasons, such as long weekends, summer and winter breaks, especially when travelers seek bulk bookings.
In conclusion, the recent developments present an opportune time for UAE residents to plan European travel with reduced airfares and expedited visa processing times. The combination of lower costs and faster procedures is expected to drive increased demand for European trips, particularly during peak travel seasons.