Why are our holiday flights cheaper from London?
Simon Calder answers your questions on flight prices, delays, travelling to Cuba and compensation
Q We love Austria in summer, and Kitzbuhel in particular. This morning we found a one-week holiday at the Hotel Maria Theresia on 15 June from Newcastle. We were quoted £1,022 each. The same holiday from Gatwick was £695. How can travel companies justify such a difference?
Paul C
A I agree that Austria in summer is a joy. A week at a top hotel including flights from London Gatwick looks good value at £695. I agree, though, charging 47 per cent more for the privilege of flying from Newcastle rather than Sussex looks steep. Certainly, the extra distance (about 170 miles or 20 minutes’ flying) implies a certain increase in costs. Holiday companies may also point out that the costs of operating a small base are, per passenger, are significantly higher than that at a large airport such as Gatwick. But taken together these do not amount to anything like an extra £327 per person.
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