Affordable Air Travel Options: Discover 7 Ultra-Low-Cost Airlines Providing Flights from Dh189, With Wizz Air No Longer Operating in Abu Dhabi
In the UAE, budget travellers can still explore a range of affordable options, even after Wizz Air announced its exit from Abu Dhabi operations starting September 1, 2025. Among the alternatives are established regional budget carriers such as flydubai and Air Arabia, which offer competitive fares and extensive connectivity from the UAE.
Despite Wizz Air's departure, the low-cost airfare market in the UAE remains robust, thanks to the presence of these major budget players. Industry analysts believe that affordable travel options will continue without significant disruption. Etihad Airways' CEO has also expressed that pricing dynamics depend on overall supply and demand, rather than the presence of any single airline, suggesting that competition from existing low-cost carriers will help maintain affordable fares.
Flydubai and Air Arabia stand out as the primary low-cost alternatives in the UAE for travellers seeking budget-friendly flights. For instance, SalamAir offers flights to Salalah with fares starting at Dh321, while Flyadeal provides Dubai to Riyadh flights starting at Dh189. Flynas offers flights from Dubai to Madinah starting at Dh272, and Jazeera Airways flies from Dubai to Kuwait City with fares beginning at Dh525. Air Arabia even flies to many destinations, including Baku in Azerbaijan, with fares starting at Dh462.
Travellers can also save big by employing a few strategies, such as booking early, travelling light, and signing up for fare alerts. Additionally, comparing nearby airports when searching for flights can result in lower prices. Sometimes, flying out of Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah instead of main cities can make a noticeable difference in price, especially with budget carriers.
Senior Correspondent Ayaz Zakir frequently covers compelling news and human interest stories across the UAE, while Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Travels, recommends these strategies for saving on travel. With these affordable options and tips at hand, exploring the world remains accessible for many UAE residents.
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- In the UAE, apart from budget-friendly flights offered by flydubai and Air Arabia, other regional budget airlines like SalamAir, Flyadeal, Flynas, and Jazeera Airways provide affordable travel options, with fares starting as low as Dh189 and Dh462.
- For individuals seeking cost-effective travel solutions, it's recommended to book flights early, travel light, and sign up for fare alerts, as well as to compare prices at nearby airports such as Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah.
- Affordable travel in the UAE remains abundant, as evidenced by Senior Correspondent Ayaz Zakir's coverage of news and human interest stories, and Subair Thekepurathvalappil's travel tips at Wisefox Travels, ensuring that exploring the world remains an accessible adventure for many UAE residents. [Source 1, Source 2]
