Travel Question: Why is the return leg from Tirana so expensive?

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The Albanian capital, like other southeastern Europe destinations, is in demand (Getty/iStock)

Q I am trying to book return flights from UK to Tirana in Albania in August 2019 and noticed the ridiculously high costs for the return leg. It’s definitely increased since last summer. Any idea what’s going on?

Alistair R

A Fares between the UK and southeast Europe are through the roof in August – basically because demand is outstripping supply. For example, to reach Athens on the morning of 2 August, prices range from £172 on Ryanair’s Stansted departure to £345 on BA’s lunchtime link from Heathrow (and yes, those are one-way basic economy fares).