UAE travellers drive 2025 flight surge as mobile bookings jump nearly fivefold after National Day
WINGIE records 150% booking growth as Cairo, Calicut and Kochi lead demand
DUBAI – Following the UAE’s 54th National Day celebrations, WINGIE has reported a sharp rise in flight searches and bookings, pointing to strong travel appetite extending into 2025.
The leading travel marketplace in the MENA region recorded substantial year-on-year growth across key performance indicators during the holiday period.
The data highlights how price shifts and digital habits are reshaping travel decisions among UAE residents.
Search growth
Flight searches for 2025 travel increased by 47% compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting heightened intent to travel beyond the national holiday break. Actual flight bookings rose even faster, surging by 150% year on year. When comparing full-year data from 2024 to 2025, WINGIE recorded an 80% increase in total bookings, signalling sustained momentum rather than a short-lived seasonal spike.
Among outbound destinations, Cairo, Calicut and Kochi attracted the highest levels of interest. These routes emerged as the most searched and booked destinations, underlining a continued preference for regional and subcontinental travel from the UAE.
Price shifts
Airfare trends during the period showed notable reductions across several international routes. Flights to Cairo recorded an average price drop of 40%, making the Egyptian capital one of the most cost-effective destinations for travellers. The fall in fares appears to have supported higher booking volumes, particularly for leisure trips planned in the weeks following National Day.
Lower ticket prices across key routes coincided with increased flexibility in travel planning, encouraging travellers to book earlier for 2025 departures.
Booking behaviour
The data also revealed a significant change in how travellers are booking flights. Mobile bookings rose by 476% in 2025 compared to 2024, marking the strongest growth across all platforms. Desktop bookings also increased substantially, posting a 272% rise over the same period.
Wingie Enuygun Group operates as a major travel marketplace across the MENA region, offering flights, hotels, car rentals and bus tickets through platforms including wingie.com, wingie.ae and enuygun.com.
The company supports services in six languages, employs more than 400 people and attracts around 200 million visitors annually, using AI-driven technology such as virtual interlining to enhance the booking experience.