Abu-Dhabi: New Perspective

Situation with the excess of charter flights to the UAE might follow the Egyptian scenario – tour operators might make a decision to reduce a number of flights on the route, travel market experts say. On October 27th ICS plan to organize an additional charter, while two flights are scheduled for October 31st – S7 Airlines A-310 flight and Transaero Boeing – 747 flight consolidated by Intair and CAPITAL TOUR. Moreover, Transaero intends to launch a scheduled flight to Abu-Dhabi on October 28th. We remind you that some experts doubt its success. Thus, according to Andrey Zorin, Director of the UAE Department of Russian Express, the existing air traffic volume on the route would be enough for the season. ‘It is easy to forecast what will happen when new charters are followed by a scheduled flight to Abu-Dhabi’, expert said. Andrey Zorin also pointed out shortage of hotel base in the UAE and even worse situation in Abu-Dhabi – some hotels are closed for renovation, besides, one popular 4* hotel was pulled down. Moreover, according to Zorin, the demand for the UAE has only slightly increased; therefore, the launch of new flights can be explained by ambitions of tour operators, not by the increased popularity of the resorts. Furthermore, Dmitry Arutyunov, General Director of Art-tour, agreed that the new Transaero flight is mainly projected for the future perspective: ‘Scheduled flights despite their high rates relatively to charters partly solve the problems of tour operators regarding operating their own flights at the full capacity. Apparently, the airline given colossal perspectives of Abu-Dhabi decided to work for future’. Meanwhile, representatives of Transaero, emphasize that the flight is already in high demand. They also do not plan to adopt any changes within the flight schedule. Nevertheless, the question regarding charter flights to the UAE is still open owing the problems regarding accommodation confirmations in the UAE.