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Aer Lingus slammed over fares

Wednesday, 17 June 2009

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Aer Lingus

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Aer Lingus charges passengers flying out of Republic far more than those flying into the country from the same destinations.

A study of fares reveals that Irish passengers are paying above the odds in all but two of the routes surveyed.

A comparison of fares for flights departing from Dublin for weekend breaks in Frankfurt, Nice, Paris, Barcelona and Naples found it would cost more to fly return from Dublin in all but two cases. The comparison was based on the lowest available fare for flights departing and returning on the same dates.

The most blatant price difference was for passengers travelling from Dublin to Nice, in which passengers departing Dublin were being charged a total return fare of €332.69 yesterday afternoon, while passengers flying to Dublin from Nice were being charged €197.69.

The biggest price difference for trips to the US was for Boston-bound passengers, who are being charged €224.52 more for their return fare than Dublin-bound passengers from Boston, followed by €200.14 more for passengers travelling from Dublin to Chicago.

Only two fares from Dublin were cheaper. They were Dublin to Paris for a total fare of €179.05, compared to €199.05 to fly from Paris to Dublin, and Dublin to Barcelona for €218.12, compared to Barcelona to Dublin for €298.12. Both routes are serviced by their rivals Ryanair, which may explain the competitive prices.

Enda Corneille, director of corporate affairs for Aer Lingus, said that while there may be some slight variations in fares between departure points, there shouldn't be wide variations. "The rack rate should be the same."

However, he said there was currently a sale on flights to Dublin from many European cities which could account for the difference in fares.

But Dermot Jewell of the Consumers Association of Ireland said it was outrageous that passengers were being charged above the odds.

"From whatever side of the world you're travelling from, it should be fair," he said. "I think it's unforgivable at any time but especially now, when you should be rewarding those still willing to travel."

For heaven's sake, it's not only holiday makers who travel!!! What about business travellers and expats (like myself) who are glad to have direct flights to belfast without the hassle of transiting via London or other mainland UK cities. The prices remain competitive except for last minute bookings which tend to soar as they do with all airlines no matter whether they are regular, charter or low cost flights.

Posted by Expat | 17.06.09, 20:29 GMT

Flights out of Dublin will always be more expensive than flights coming in whatever the airline and whatever it charges, due to the fact that airport taxes to fly out of Dublin are more expensive than just about any other airport. Right now Ryanair is charging 18.39 euros in airport charges to fly out of Madrid to Dublin, but wants 33.39 on the way back. Over to you, Irish Airport Authorities ...

Posted by Trevor | 17.06.09, 19:28 GMT

Surely this is just all supply and demand? Demand for flights out of Ireland is much higher than it is for flights into Ireland. The Irish love their holidays in Nice and Malaga but the French and Spanish aren't as keen on their holidays in Ireland so therefore demand is weaker and Aer Lingus needs to have lower fares in order to attract tourists to Ireland, Aer Lingus are actually helping the Irish economy this way!

Posted by Tanya | 17.06.09, 13:20 GMT

I've given up on Aer Lingus out of Belfast anyhow. I was really positive about them after flying a few times when they first started up in Belfast. However, as they chop and change routes from Belfast I've totally given up and gone with Easyjet - at least you are fairly sure that they'll be operating the route that you want in the medium term. Looks like there'll be very little activity by Aer Lingus at Belfast this winter as they bolster up their new Gatwick routes at the expense of Belfast.

Posted by Mike | 17.06.09, 12:39 GMT