After a year in which the aviation industry battled its worst crisis, there is light at the end of the tunnel as travel begins to return in some regions around the world.
While many airlines were forced to ground fleets for several months owing to restrictions imposed to help control the global pandemic, others have returned to the skies as travellers begin to gain confidence once again.
To coincide with this return of travel, AirlineRatings.com has revealed the top 10 best low-cost airlines in the world. The ranking can be used by passengers to decide which airline to book, by those seeking the best in affordable flying.
The Australian aviation safety and product rating agency compiles its rankings based on several criteria, including the age of the fleet, passenger reviews and product offerings. This year, airlines have also been ranked based on how they responded to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The top 10 low-cost airlines in 2021
1. easyJet (UK)
2. Jetstar (Australia)
3. Frontier (US)
4. JetBlue (US)
5. Ryanair (Ireland)
6. Scoot (Singapore)
7. Southwest (US)
8. VietJet Air (Vietnam)
9. Volaris (Mexico)
10. WestJet (Canada)
AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas said that “each of these airlines has an excellent safety record and has made a big difference in their market”.
“From Southwest Airlines, which started the low-cost revolution in the 1970s, to JetBlue, which redefines the low-cost product, each airline has made a huge contribution to affordable travel.
“In Europe, it’s easyJet and Ryanair, in Asia Jetstar and Scoot, while in Americas one can add Frontier, Volaris and WestJet to Southwest and JetBlue. All are standouts.”
Sharjah's Air Arabia made its debut in 2020's list, but has been left out of the top 10 this year. It did, however, rank in the top 10 low-cost safest airline rankings that were published in January.
No other UAE airline was included in the top 10 list this year. That's despite an expansion of budget air travel providers, with the launch of two new low-cost airlines in Abu Dhabi.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have commenced operations since the onset of the global pandemic, and offer flights in and out of the UAE capital.
How are the top 10 airlines chosen?
AirlineRatings.com chooses the top 10 budget airlines based on excellent safety and incident records, as well as commending those that have completed the stringent International Air Transport Association (Iata) Operational Safety Audit.
This optional evaluation system checks airlines on more than 1,000 points and is reassessed every two years.
The website also offers travellers a tool where they can compare the safety assessments of almost 400 airlines monitored by the rating agency.
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The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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