MENA business travel airfares surge 46% in H1 2026

Business airfares across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) rose 46% in the first half of 2026, as resilient corporate travel demand and higher fuel costs pushed average ticket prices to record levels, according to new data from UAE-based business travel platform Tumodo.

 

Average air ticket prices rose from US$389 in January to US$567 in June, peaking at US$598 in May, as the Iran conflict pushed crude oil prices above US$100 a barrel and drove up jet fuel costs across the region. The increase surpassed Tumodo’s Q1 forecast of airfare rises of up to 25%.

 

Despite higher prices, demand remained strong. April was the busiest booking month of H1 2026, overtaking February’s Q1 peak, with booking volumes remaining elevated throughout May and June. Business trips also became shorter, averaging two to three days, down from around four days in Q1, reflecting continued demand for short executive meetings and business travel.

 

The shift in demand was reflected in route performance. European services topped MENA’s corporate travel rankings for the first time, with London and Berlin emerging as the leading business destinations from Dubai.

 

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Regional corridors linking Dubai, Riyadh and Cairo also remained among the busiest, as Gulf carriers expanded European capacity through new and increased services during 2026. Emirates accounted for 25% of corporate bookings during the period, followed by Saudia at 20% and Turkish Airlines at 17%.

Hotel rates, meanwhile, moved in the opposite direction. Average nightly prices fell from US$180 in January to US$156 in April before recovering to US$169 in June, ending the first half around 6% below January levels.

Mohanad Nada, Head of GCC at Tumodo, said: “April delivered what we expected after Q1. Dubai-London and Dubai-Berlin at the top is a first, and it tells you MENA businesses are now moving heavily between the Gulf and Europe.”

 

The findings come as Middle East airlines accelerate network recovery following the US-Iran ceasefire, resulting in more carriers resuming suspended routes and increasing frequencies. Recent data from DragonPass showed GCC passenger volumes rebounded 65% month-on-month in May, highlighting renewed confidence in regional travel.

 

For more information, visit www.tumodo.io