New data reveals big hike in 'budget' air fares to Spain this summer
Gary NoakesBudget airlines have hiked fares from the UK to Spain by more than 40% this summer, according to new research.
Travel intelligence company Mabrian found UK budget carriers were leading the overall air fare increase, with a 42.2% rise in average fares to £156, a figure 11% higher than on conventional airlines. On routes inbound from Spain to the UK, the price rose 38%.
Mabrian’s sample was taken in early April and refers to fares for travel from 1 June to 15 September this year. It said budget airlines accounted for 68.5% of all seats available on flights from and to Spain.
It added: “Although average prices on conventional airlines continue to be higher, the price increase is greater on low-cost airlines. This represents a shift in the global trend detected between 2021 and 2023.” During this period, it said, legacy carriers’ fares grew 40% compared with 6% for low cost airlines.
Mabrian estimates budget carriers account for 37.6 million seats to Spain, compared to 17.4 million on full service airlines and are growing at nearly three times faster.
Mabrian said fares in the UK from both types of carriers had increased the most among the major outbound markets this year, up 31%, with an average price of almost £180.
Carlos Cendra Cruz, Mabrian marketing and communication director, said: “There is still room for adjustment for these rates on these traditionally summer routes, as dynamic prices will vary over the coming weeks, responding to the behaviour of demand.”
The data comes after easyJet said summer 2024 bookings “continue to build well, with an increase in volume and pricing compared to the same period last year”.
Airlines are keen to continue making up for Covid losses with higher prices but there is also a shortage of flights in some cases.
Ryanair has warned of a 10% price hike because of the non-delivery of aircraft from Boeing, while Wizz Air will ground around a quarter of its fleet due to engine problems, all putting upward pressure on prices as capacity shrinks.
Gary Noakes
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