28% 'will snub Emirates' over price hike plan

WALKING AWAY: Twenty-eight percent of Emirates customers said they would snub the airline over its price hike. (Supplied)

Nearly 30 percent of people say they won't be flying with Dubai-based airline Emirates following news that fares are to rise, according to an Arabian Business poll.

All Emirates passengers will be hit by a ticket price increase, effective August 1, due to soaring fuel prices, it was reported on Thursday.

The carrier's fares will rise by 10 percent for first and business class, and five percent for economy class, but the announcement has not gone down well with Arabian Business readers.

Twenty-eight percent of those who responded to our poll said they would not be flying with Emirates while another 43 percent said they would still consider the airline the next time they needed to fly but Emirates would not be first choice.

However, 29 percent of respondents said they were likely to remain loyal. Of those, 18 percent said they did not like the price hike but thought the service from Emirates was still worth the money while 11 percent said they were not concerned about the fare increase and would continue to fly with Emirates.

According to Thursday's reports, this is the second increase in the airline's fares in the last three months. Emirates had increased prices by nine percent in June, based on an oil price of $110.

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USER COMMENTS (4 COMMENTS)

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Declining service standards with price hikes... sounds business as usual!
Posted by Sam on 14 July 2008 at 01:19 UAE time


Everything in Dubai has been like that recently!! Declining quality and attention, while asking for more money with a grin. Every time there is growth, companies run ahead of themselves and chase exorbitant profits, and that is done by hiring cheaper less capable employees and hiking prices, you end up with customers going elsewhere and business executives trying everything in the book not to carry the blame for the downturn. Emirates posted more than 5 big ones as pure profit for last year, what exactly are they looking for with those increases? Skywards miles card, prepare for the scissors.

Emirates Price Hikes
Posted by skyobserver, London, UK on 13 July 2008 at 21:35 UAE time


The price hike is one thing however wait for the announcement by Emirates to say say that they are going to adopt a 'high density configuration' in economy class, typically on a B777 or AB 380 this will be 3-5-3 seating configuration. Thus not only will you be paying more but you will also get less room for your money. This being combined with aircraft that suffer from toxic air syndrome (www.aerotoxic.org) and declining service standards leaves the average flyer in a horrid position!

Even without this planned increase, Emirates has the highest fares
Posted by Tarek Helmy, Abu Dhabi, UAE on 13 July 2008 at 13:14 UAE time

I have been holding GOLD card with Emirates Airlines for 4 years.
Emirates has been my first option due to the large fleet they are using even for short flights (777, A330, etc.), which provides great comfort for frequent business travellers.
Nevertheless, with the planned price increase, I am confident that EK cannot remain first choice or even an option. Most of EK customers are business travellers, and they must respect the air fare when it comes to business travellings. This applies to the managers and their staff. How can it be justified to auditors to pay lot more for same destination? Today we have Etihad that are offering a close level of service like Emirates at lot cheaper rates.
Emirates has left their business travellers with no more options.

Emirates price hikes
Posted by Boris Santosi, Dubai, UAE on 13 July 2008 at 13:09 UAE time


Have been a loyal customer over the last 5 years but already booked the next business trips with other airlines as Emirates has seriously eroded its value proposition over the last year. Declining service standards against price hikes? You gotta be kidding!

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