World Cup flight fares increase by more than 100 per cent

Two of the top airlines in Europe are hiking up their flight prices for a World Cup match by more than 100 per cent. Fans were online yesterday as tickets were released for sale for the Republic of Ireland’s match against France and they desperately tried to book up flights to get to the match. Aer Lingus and Ryanair have both been accused of acting shamelessly by ripping off fans who want to travel to the match.

Fine Gael said the price hikes were simply shameless and the policy of raising the prices for flights was just a way of cashing in. Prices were not only increased but they were raised by over 100 per cent and John O’Mahony said that fans will feel that the rip off is unjust. The away match for the Republic of Ireland will take place in Paris on the 18th of November and flight prices were increased by the usual €25 up to €125 within just a few minutes of the match venue being announced.

Ryanair is known as a budget airline and to fly out to Paris on the 17th or 18th of November has risen to €316. Aer Lingus is now charging around €409 for deals on flights around the same dates. The draw for the match took place on Wednesday at 13:00 and Ryanair’s website had tickets for sale at 12:45 for only €24.99. Consumer watchdogs are claiming that this is just another way of consumers being ripped off by airlines but the airlines defended their move by claiming that they always raise their prices if there is a sudden demand for flight routes and that this was no different.