Middle Eastern Hubs Add $600 to $1,800 to Island Holiday Packages

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Closure of airspace over several Middle Eastern countries has led to a sharp increase in prices for island destinations, according to the Association of Russian Tour Operators (ATOR). Previously, Russians typically flew with convenient and relatively inexpensive connections in the Persian Gulf countries.

Destinations such as the Maldives (up to 55% of trips), Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Indonesia (Bali) and Malaysia have been particularly affected. Previously, a significant number of routes were built through the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. Direct flights or flights through other countries are noticeably more expensive.

How prices have changed

Maldives:

A tour with a layover in the UAE cost 191-230 thousand rubles per couple.
Without Middle Eastern hubs (direct flight) - already from 371 thousand rubles. The difference reaches 140 thousand rubles.

Sri Lanka:

With a layover - from 193 thousand rubles.
Direct charter - from 249 thousand rubles.

Seychelles:

Through the UAE - from 275 thousand rubles.
Direct flight - from 343 thousand rubles.

Bali (Indonesia):

Through the UAE - from 211 thousand rubles.
Through China - from 275 thousand rubles.
Direct flight - from 327 thousand rubles.

Langkawi (Malaysia):

With a layover in the UAE - from 219 thousand rubles.
Through China - from 254 thousand rubles.

Overall, in Southeast Asia, the price increase ranges from 65 to 120 thousand rubles per couple. However, Thailand is less dependent on Middle Eastern layovers. Tourists actively use routes through Central Asia and China, and on some dates, direct charters are even more affordable than alternative options.

Alternative tickets to Russia

As of March 3, flights to Moscow on complex routes also show a significant increase in prices:

• Colombo - Moscow: from 124 thousand rubles (via Male, over 24 hours in transit);
• Kuala Lumpur - Moscow: from 92.9 thousand rubles (via Beijing);
• Denpasar - Moscow: from 185.9 thousand rubles (via Shanghai);
• Bangkok - Moscow: from 75 thousand rubles (via Vladivostok);
• Bangkok - Moscow direct Aeroflot flight - from 141 thousand rubles;
• Phuket - Moscow: from 80.9 thousand rubles (via Irkutsk);
• Phuket - Moscow direct flight - from 243 thousand rubles.

In addition to rising fares, the market is losing flexibility: direct flights have a limited number of seats, fewer date and departure time options. Relatively affordable remain routes through Istanbul, but their cost is already significantly higher than usual, ATOR reported.