Emirates’ fares to rise by up to $166 per ticket

Posted by: Clayton Wednesday, 4 April 2012 10:06 PM[UAE] - UK

Well you can't fly to BKK with them cheaper than to DXB at the moment. It's really hard to justify paying their current fares i.e. cheapest flights in Y from the UK to BKK are in excess of �650 (only one destination in South East Asia barely under �600) yet it's still easy to pick up a fare on several other airlines for less than �500. Those airlines will also serve you your wine with your meal rather 15 minutes later as is usually the case on EK these days! Even J can be a lottery - seats, service......... I've some Skywards miles to use up then it's thanks for the memories EK - they used to be a good airline.

Posted by: raptor Thursday, 1 March 2012 12:50 PM[UAE] - UAE

This is ridiculous on Emirates' part. EK gets fuel from right at its doorstep in the UAE, and it saves a considerable amount of money on fuel as about 10-20% of oil prices account for its transport. Plus it may be getting other fuel price benefits considering it's owned by the government.

EK has a considerable edge over its competitors in terms of fuel pricing and yet you don't see other major European or American carriers asking for a fuel surcharge. It should be the other way around, but isn't.

Posted by: Adam Friday, 2 March 2012 1:20 PM[UAE] - UAE

Have you sat for a moment and considered that Airlines have to purchase fuel at their destination as well as their hub? So they are as suseptible to fluctuating fuel prices as anyone.

Posted by: amused Thursday, 1 March 2012 10:53 PM[UAE] - UAE

Raptor,
I am the last to defend Emirates, and I certainly do not fly that airlines. However, airplanes do not burn unprocessed oil, just as automobiles don't either. It takes refined products for various machines to operate. The UAE has very limited refinery capacity and has to buy and import most of its refined products need to fly planes, run cars, etc. The oil is sold and the refined products purchased at market prices. The comsumer bears the burden except where subsidized.

Posted by: sonnydubai Wednesday, 29 February 2012 6:13 PM[UAE] - uae

I dont mind a fare increase when it is justified. However when you read that Emirates made $1.4 billion US in profits last year this does not sit well with the consumer, particularly in this current uncertain economic climate. How can Emirates be more expensive flying to say Heathrow when they have 5 flights per day than Virgin who has 1? It doesnt make sense....

Posted by: MMM Thursday, 1 March 2012 12:47 PM[UAE] - UAE

They have expenses too buying new planes, investing in new technology, airports, shareholders, billings etc.

Posted by: Baloo Wednesday, 29 February 2012 6:13 PM[UAE] - po1a5t7

Passengers once again have to bare the brunt of increased costs.

This despite huge profits posted by the airline, which could be utilised in part if not all, to offset these increases.

How about giving something back to passengers instead of take, take, take..??

Will prices reduce this quick when the cost of a barrel of oil slides in the opposite direction..??

Posted by: #Used_to_Fly_Emirates Wednesday, 29 February 2012 2:30 PM[UAE] - UAE

Emirates have to be very careful! They are SO much more expensive than other carriers that their premium for service & entertainment is becoming too high. It is difficult to justify flying Emirates any more when their fares are 20-35% more expensive than alternatives.

They have reduced the skywards privileges, increased miles needed to upgrade on regular routes (e.g. London), made it much harder to maintain gold or silver status - this will hurt them as people no longer have an incentive for travelling on Emirates, especially if this is not work related travel.

Posted by: raptor Thursday, 1 March 2012 1:28 PM[UAE] - UAE

EK is focused on operating a hub-based network and an excess of 75% of its passengers transit from Dubai, not to it. It offers very low prices for the transiting customers.
I had once found prices for London-Dubai-Bangkok to be about AED500 cheaper than London-Dubai, which is crazy. You pay less to travel twice the distance; and this instance is not rare.