Half-term f lights for a family of four top £2.5k

Anger over ‘rip-off’ fares up to seven times dearer than normal

FAMILIES wanting a half-term getaway face ‘rip-off’ flights costing up to seven times more than normal, it was claimed yesterday.

Campaigners warned the ‘completely unjustifiable’ airline charges during the February break appeared to be some of the worst ever school holiday price hikes.

Headteachers urged the Government to address the ‘dramatic’ out-of-term flight increases that often leave parents resorting to cheaper deals during term-time.

A family of four flying with British Airways from Heathrow to Geneva, a popular ski destination, in the February half-term would pay £3,167 – an extra £2,712 on the previous week.

A return trip for two adults and two children from Edinburgh to Alicante with easyJet usually costs £139.92. But in half-term week it is £373.61, an increase of £233.69.

A return trip from Glasgow to Orlando for the same party with British Airways costs £1,857.48 – but the price rises by £691.12 to £2,548.60 in half-term week.

Peter Higgins of campaign group Holiday Price Increase said: ‘All we ever asked is that airlines and the travel industry don’t exploit the situation by charging huge premiums. The problem is not that there are increases but the level at which prices are being raised. It’s a blatant rip-off.

‘We have raised this issue again and again, but it is never properly addressed.

‘Last year we saw increases of sixfold for flights during the school holidays. Now we are looking at a sevenfold increase.

‘The massive increases are completely unjustifiable as they don’t reflect the charges incurred by the companies.’

Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: ‘The Government should take steps to address the price hikes we see at holiday time.

‘If the cost increases were not so dramatic, parents would not feel the need to seek cheaper deals in term-time.’

The price rises come as English parents face confusion over the £60 penalties for taking children out of class for holidays in term-time.

There are no such fines north of the Border but the Scottish Government says schools will not normally give permission to take pupils out of school for holidays. It is up to education authorities to decide sanctions for persistent truancy.

The High Court last year ruled in favour of an English father who refused to pay a fine for taking his daughter on holiday to the United States during term-time. Jon Platt successfully argued the holiday was lawful because his child’s attendance was otherwise exemplary.

But the Government has vowed to stop others following his lead by changing the law. It is supporting an appeal in the Supreme Court.

A spokesman for Airlines UK, the trade body for British airlines, said: ‘Airline ticket prices respond to customer demand throughout the year. Demand is high during school holidays, which can lead to higher prices to popular destinations on certain dates.

‘However, great deals are available if you book early or can be flexible on destination and date of travel. Prices tend to be lower outside of school holidays because there is lower demand.’

A BA spokesman said: ‘Our lowest fare finder and holiday finder options on ba.com allow customers to see how fares differ month-bymonth, allowing them to select a holiday which suits their budget.’

A spokesman for easyJet said: ‘Our prices start very low and only rise as more and more seats have been sold. Demand is high during school holidays, which can lead to higher prices.

‘However, by booking early or being flexible on destinations and dates, great deals are available.’