Britons have been warned of soaring flight prices as holidaymakers rush to return home before the end of the August bank holiday weekend.
Speaking to GB News, travel expert Simon Calder said travellers could find cheap flights to the Mediterranean at the start of next week, but warned that the cost of returning before schools go back could “go through the roof”.
Mr Calder said flights out to the Mediterranean on Monday could typically cost around £50, but highlighted a stark example for those trying to return.
He revealed that a British Airways flight from Malaga to Heathrow on August 31 cost £1,280 per person.
“That would be £5,000 for a family of four,” GB News host Dawn Neesom reacted.
Mr Calder explained that “strong demand, limited capacity” and pressure on families to return before schools restart on September 1 were driving the high prices.
He said flights from Antalya to Manchester were also selling for “well over £500” over the bank holiday weekend.
The travel expert stressed that some of the only remaining seats on some flights were in business class.
“It’s business class only. It’s the only seats that British Airways have left.”
As a remedy, Mr Calder suggested that holidaymakers could cut costs by looking at alternative UK airports.
He said a flight from Alicante to Manchester on bank holiday Monday could cost more than £200.
However, flying to Edinburgh could cost just £21 because Scottish schools had already returned.
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“There is quite a lot of saving to pay for the extra train fare,” he said.
However, the travel expert also warned that rail passengers could face disruption over the bank holiday weekend.
He noted that the East Coast Main Line is due to close on Sunday, August 30, for engineering work.
An RMT strike affecting East Midlands Railway services on Sunday and Monday could also add further pressure to the rail network.
Mr Calder advised those still looking to get away to consider the Greek islands in September, when he said the seas would be at their warmest after “cooking all summer”.
However, he insisted time was of the essence.
“Book it now,” he told Dawn.
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