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Emirates slashes ticket prices by up to 30 per cent

By Vicky Kapur

Announces 3-day sale on economy and business class fares to 40 destinations
Dubai's Emirates airline has announced a three-day sale offering customers discounts of up to 30 per cent to select destinations across its network.

The airline intends to maximise available seats on its flights to these destinations during this 'slow' period and is hoping that more travelers will take unplanned trips to avail of this offer.

"With less money spent on their flight, our passengers will have more to spend on the ground, perfect for an impromptu trip away," said Khalid Bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice-President Commercial Sales UAE.

Available on selected return economy and business class tickets to 40 international destinations, the sale is valid for booking from today, Tuesday the February 7th, until Thursday, February 9, 2012.

According to a statement by Emirates, some of the most popular destinations included in this offer are expected to be: London, Dallas, Zurich, Beirut, Bangkok, Karachi, Paris and Mumbai. A number of Emirates' newest destinations are also included in the offer such as Dallas, Seattle, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.

"Whether travelling for leisure or business, our three-day sale provides customers with the opportunity to reach their desired destination for less," added Bel Jaflah. To avail of this offer, outbound travel must commence on or before 10th June 2012.

A number of residents that Emirates 24|7 spoke to seemed thrilled with the news. "I was planning to take a short trip back home to New Delhi during my daughter's 15-day school holiday in March," said Navin Khatri, a senior manager with one of Dubai's real estate brokerages.

"But was in two minds as the cost of four tickets - self and wife, plus two kids - was becoming substantial to justify a 10-day trip," he said. "Now, however, I've checked the prices this morning and the trip will be almost 27 per cent cheaper," he added with a twinkle in his eyes.

Then there is Timothy Alexander, a 23-year-old sales executive at a regional retail chain in Dubai. He's planning to surprise his girlfriend with a 3-day trip to Beirut for celebrating Valentine's Day, and said he wasn't going to miss this opportunity. "Guess what, I've already swiped my card," he said, adding that he still had to ask his boss for the leave.

This isn't the first time that Emirates has announced a limited period sale on its ticket prices. The airline also announced discounted price tickets in late December last year to spur bookings and travel within the next six months. The airline then offered a discount on sale of tickets booked over a two-week period, to over 100 destinations around the world. That sale ended on January 9, 2012.

Click here to check out Emirates' price of tickets and destinations on sale

The UAE's other major airline, Etihad Airways too has announced discounted ticket prices in the past in order to spur sales.

In fact, it currently has an online auction going on, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi International Airport, to commemorate the airport's 30th anniversary.

The online auction, launched on February 5, offers 60 tickets to 30 destinations on the airport's website, www.abudhabiairport.ae. The auction comes as part of the airport's celebration campaign to mark 30 years of success catering to over 126 million passengers.

Starting on the 5th of February and running for 30 days, participants can log on to the auction page on the airport website to bid for a pair of Etihad Airways tickets to one of its destinations. Each day a new destination will be announced for 2 Etihad Airways tickets. The Bid will run each working day starting 8am and will end at 5pm announcing the highest bidder as the winner of the tickets of the day.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company will collect proceeds of the auction by the end of the auction program on 15th March and donate 50% to Zayed University in Abu Dhabi to be used in the student support fund program. The remaining proceeds will be won as a cash prize by one of the bidders through a raffle draw held in mid-March. All bidders throughout the duration of the auction will automatically enter the draw for the final cash prize.

Eng. Ahmed Al Haddabi, Chief Operating Officer of ADAC said: "Celebrating 30 years of success through this unique competition is very exciting for ADAC as it signifies the company's commitment to offer the most innovative services to its customers. ADAC would like to take this opportunity to thank Etihad Airways for their on-going support of Abu Dhabi International Airport initiatives such as this auction, aimed at enhancing passengers' experience and exceeding their expectations."

© Emirates 24|7 2012