Holiday prices cut by 40pc as firms try to make up huge losses

Companies offering huge discounts on summer trips as sector considers ‘air bridges’ to beat quarantine

SUMMER holidays have been discounted by up to 40 per cent as the industry attempts to get back on its feet.

International travel has ground to a halt during the pandemic, placing a huge strain on the tourism sector, as companies are forced to refund thousands of customers.

John Holland-kaye, Heathrow Airport chief executive, said yesterday that he supports the idea of “air bridges” as part of a “risk-based” approach to get people flying again.

Air bridges would allow travellers to visit specific countries without having to quarantine, although the future of the proposals is understood to be up in the air following a Cabinet row.

Easyjet announced yesterday that it will resume flights on a “small number” of routes in June, with passengers required to wear masks.

Booking a holiday for the rest of the year would still be a risk, according to Paul Charles, of the PC Agency travel consultancy, given that it is unclear when on will end.

For those willing to take that risk however, there are deals to be had, he added. “I think what’s extraordinary at the moment are the rock-bottom prices from airlines,” he said.

“If I want to fly to Malaga in July, I can get a return flight for £73. I would normally expect that to be hundreds. That’s a sign that airlines are having to re-engage with consumers and boost their confidence.

“The problem is that consumers are worried at the moment about booking because of the possible quarantine measures and whether other countries will allow British people to visit.

At the moment, if you book to travel, you wouldn’t be insured.”

Figures from Travelsupermarket, the online travel agent, showed that people searching for a holiday between April 14 and May 14 had seen prices down 30 per cent for Dubai, 19 per cent for Corfu and 16 per cent for Majorca compared to those searching for the same dates the month before.

Tui, the tour operator, has cut prices by almost 40 per cent for some holidays in October. A week all-inclusive at the Azul Beach Resort in Jamaica was reduced from £1,880 per person to £1,190, while a trip to Cancun was reduced from £1,606 to £1,145.

Jack’s Flight Club, a website specialising in flight deals, said flights from London to Prague from late July into August, which would usually cost more than £150, were currently available for between £50 and £70. Return flights from London to Turkey were currently £120, around half their usual cost.

Jack Sheldon, from the website, said most airlines are taking a “wait-andsee approach” but that prices are lower than previous summer holiday seasons on most of the most popular routes.

Jon Thorne, from Skyscanner, a flight-booking website, advised anyone planning to travel in the summer to check the relevant travel restrictions and book a “flexible fare”, which allows for changes, where possible.

A spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents, the trade body, said travel companies wanted customers to start booking holidays again, adding: “Hotels, airlines and tour operators will set their prices to encourage sales, and will be preparing now to tap into a rush of bookings once travel restrictions are lifted.

“There will be pent-up demand for holidays. The Government must communicate measures to open up international travel so people can be confident in their future travel plans.”

Julian Knight, chairman of the digital, culture, media and sport committee, said: “Now is the time for the Government to set out a recovery plan for the tourism industry, and announce how it will be supporting traders facing huge losses at what should be the start of the holiday season.” ♦the competition watchdog has received one complaint every two minutes over cancelled holidays. The Competition and Markets Authority has been investigating travel firms for refusing to issue cash refunds. The authority said it received 60,000 coronavirus-related contacts from March 10 to May 17, most relating to complaints about the travel, holiday and hotel industry. Last week, it received 850 complaints about cancellations a day.