Dubai-based Emirates has grounded 20 of its planes due to a seasonal slump in demand from Gulf travellers during the Ramadan period, a report said.

According to a report in Gulf Business, the holy month of Ramadan has coincided with the generally weaker period of May, exacerbating the drop in demand.

“On top of Ramadan we have May, so demand for travel is down significantly in the Muslim world,” said the report, citing airline president Tim Clark who was speaking on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (Iata) annual meeting.

Traffic in May fell by 50 per cent compared to the previous month and traveller numbers are expected to remain low till the end of Ramadan, the report said.

The grounded aircraft are expected to return to service following the Eid al Fitr holiday in mid-June, with the fleet returning to maximum capacity by September or October, it said.