Families spend £2,000 more as half-term flight prices up 42pc

Families will spend as much as £2,000 more on flights for half-term holidays this year, after prices soared almost 50pc compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Consumer campaign group Which? found prices had risen by 42pc on average, from £150 to £212, for one-way journeys to major European destinations. Prices from Heathrow to Malaga soared by 216pc, rising from £89 to £282 for a one-way ticket.

The largest increase in cash terms was for journeys between Heathrow and Tenerife, where the one-way cost rose by £262, from £165 to £427 – an increase of 159pc. This would add £2,096 to the cost of a holiday for a family of four.

Travellers have seen prices rise because of increased fuel costs, caps on passenger numbers at Heathrow and a fall in the value of the pound, experts said.

Which? analysed prices listed on Skytra, a price comparison site, six weeks before October half-term departures in 2019 and 2022.

Bookings made well in advance of half-term were far cheaper, the analysis found. The average prices for flights to Alicante, Antalya in Turkey, Dubai, Malaga and Tenerife were found to be much less when booked six months in advance.

Guy Hobbs, of Which?, said it was unfair for travellers to be punished with higher fares after a summer of airline disruptions and cancellations.

He urged the Government to give the Civil Aviation Authority, the industry regulator, more power to fine operators who break rules and cause travellers disruption.

He said: “Travellers have had a torrid time this year and our analysis shows they’re paying through the nose for their trouble.

“With fares so high, it's even more important that airports and airlines are held to account for the unacceptable disruption travellers have faced.”

A Heathrow spokesman said prices had been pushed up by an “unprecedented surge in passenger demand this summer, coupled with staffing shortages across the travel sector in Europe and the US”. He added: “Heathrow doesn’t stand to benefit from increased ticket prices this coming half-term."

Once abroad, holidaymakers are also facing much higher prices thanks to the fall in the value of the pound. An adult ticket to climb the Eiffel Tower costs €26.80 – equal to £22.51 under the exchange rate on August 2, when £1 was worth €1.20 at its recent peak. But as of today, that same ticket will be 6pc more expensive at £23.86.

Compared to last year, a week’s average holiday spending in Spain was found to be £500 more expensive, according to research from Eurochange, a currency exchange store.

It found that accommodation fees, restaurant meals and car hire had all increased year-on-year, in part due to currency rates but also because local businesses raised prices to make up for losses during the pandemic.

Nightly hotel prices were found to have increased by 36pc over the last year, while car hire is up 136pc. A restaurant meal costs 9pc more. It also found that car hire costs eat up a huge proportion of a holiday’s budget: analysis of the most popular firms showed holidaymakers would be expected to spend £609 for a week's rental, or £52 per day.

Charles Stewart, of Eurochange, said: “We’re all feeling the pinch at the moment, especially as many tourist destinations have increased their local prices post-pandemic.

“Preparation is key when it comes to cutting costs, as there are many package holidays and budget flights available if you research. Holidaymakers can also save by avoiding hiring a car, as it’s a large expense that’s more than doubled in the last year.”