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Short-haul shift
The growth of late-booking short-breaks
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Jasper Kelly Monday 6 September 2010 |
The recently published results for both easyJet and Ryanair demonstrate an increase in short-haul European travel. This can be contrasted with slightly worse than expected passenger numbers for BA.
Does this tell us anything? Are we shifting from longer-haul holidays to short-haul quick breaks?
There is some evidence that many people stayed within the UK this summer, partly as a result of the economic uncertainty and partly because of the unusually good weather. Travel companies have also reported a form of resort-fatigue with traditional packaged holidays losing their appeal.
The sector that appears to be bucking the tend and increasing both passenger numbers and profits is the city-break market with its long weekend visits to European capitals. This, of course, is the perfect market for easyJet and RyanAir and they will, no doubt continue to promote the sector.
So, where from here? The traditional resort holiday has been further damaged by highly publicised company failures and CAA rescue operations. The resulting costs will have to be clawed back from future travellers to replenish the CAA contingency fund.
Perhaps the greatest influence will come from global economics. The Pound has strengthened against the Dollar but US based holidays will remain expensive for a few years yet. Aviation fuel is expensive and green tax burdens further increase long-haul travel costs. By contrast, the Euro is relatively weak and in uncertain times, a late booking for a weekend is much less risky than a pre-booked holiday.
All of this sounds like more good news for easyJet and RyanAir.
| Comments | Post a comment |
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Bryan Long 7 September 2010, 02:59PM | |
I took my wife on one of the city breaks to Rome. It was a last minute decision and was very good value. | |
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Adam Stuart, Newcastle 13 September 2010, 08:43AM | |
This is where the easyJet and Ryanair services are at their best. Short-haul to small airports works just great and we need to support and boost those services. Of course we should integrate travel such as read, parking and rail links into airports. | |
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Angela Hampton 17 September 2010, 12:00PM | |
With the costs of long-haul holidays and the inevitable fuel surcharges, these weekend breaks are generally a good alternative. It is also good for the children to see something of Europe. | |
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Emma Repton, London 21 September 2010, 07:48AM | |
This is just crap with lots of rich people polluting the planet going away for a weekend and creating all that carbon. | |
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Jenny Bland 29 September 2010, 07:05AM | |
These deals are some of the best value on the market. The problem is that they do generate a lot of travel carbon for such a short time away. | |
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Years ago, I used to love long-weekend breaks. I would nip up to Stanstead and get a flight with short-checkin times, low-cost parking and easy transit. | |
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Jenny, London 26 November 2010, 05:15PM | |
I also love long weekend breaks. Last year I visited Paris with my family it was very good and i enjoyed it emmensly unfourtuanatly i havn't been able to experience one of these breaks in a long time because of my busy schedule. | |
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Marnie, Kent 2 December 2010, 03:12PM | |
Short haul city breaks are an ideal choice for me. I am not a lover of flying and so booking a last minute cheap short haul flight is great. Living in Kent we have the option of flying from Gatwick or Stanstead and with being so near the major motorways it makes the whole experience an easy option. | |
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