Air Ticket Prices Set to Fluctuate as Oil Spikes Impact 2 Fueling Methods

Mauritian travellers are abandoning traditional transit hubs in favour of direct routes as escalating Middle East tensions force the suspension of flights and the closure of key regional airports.

Umarfarooq Omarjee, Director of Omarjee Holidays, confirmed that many Mauritians have cancelled or postponed family holidays.

Business travellers are opting to hold their tickets until Dubai International Airport—currently scheduled to remain closed until 3:00 PM local time on Tuesday—resumes full operations.

Shift to Direct Routes

With Emirates suspending services at its Dubai hub, a significant shift in travel patterns has emerged.

Mauritians heading to the UK, France, and Canada are now prioritising direct flights to avoid the volatility of Middle Eastern transit.

“European travellers planning to visit Mauritius have also cancelled their Emirates bookings, opting for direct connections to avoid losing precious holiday days,” Mr Omarjee noted.

He recommended that passengers use alternative hubs such as Paris, London Heathrow, Istanbul, or Johannesburg, which continue to function normally.

Rising Costs and “Force Majeure”

The industry is bracing for a “certain fluctuation” in ticket prices driven by surging oil costs.

While some airlines are temporarily shielded by fuel hedging, those buying at market rates are facing immediate pressure.

“The aviation sector is particularly sensitive to oil price variations,” Mr Omarjee explained. “Prices will likely rise before they eventually settle, depending on how the situation evolves.”

Support for Stranded Passengers

Despite the disruption, which is being treated as a case of force majeure, life within Dubai is reported to be continuing normally. For those currently stranded in Dubai or Abu Dhabi:

• Local Government Assistance: Authorities are providing hotel accommodation and meals for affected travellers.
• Airline Policies: Carriers like Emirates are largely offering fee-free date changes or full refunds.
• Partial Reopening: Dubai Airports announced a partial resumption of operations at DXB and Al Maktoum International as of Monday evening, March 2.

Limited Seasonal Impact

The timing of the conflict has somewhat mitigated its impact on the Mauritian travel industry. Because the escalation coincided with the Christian Lenten period, Ramadan, and the school term, passenger volumes are lower than the peak periods of April, July, or December.

However, Mr Omarjee cautioned that those with travel dates further than a month away cannot yet claim refunds, as the long-term outlook remains uncertain.

“The most important thing remains that all passengers can travel in complete safety,” he concluded.

Source: Defi Media