19/12/2012 00:00
TW
0

Palma.—Travel agents and consumer rights groups have slammed the airline industry for hiking domestic air fares this Christmas and New Year.
The President of Aviba, the Balearic Association of Travel Agents, Sylvia Riera, has accused the airlines of “abusing” the travelling public. “There is no logic behind the price rises this year and both the local and central governments should be addressing the issue because the general public are being held to ransom,” she said over the weekend. “Many of these routes should be declared public services and that would mean that the frequencies and the prices would be capped and controlled by the government and therefore, airlines would not be able to fix fares,” she added.

Even though residents are entitled to a 50 percent discount, travelling this festive season is extremely expensive and the number of flights has also been reduced on the key days which means that some people who left booking to the last minute, are having problems finding a flight.

Riera has hit out at both the Spanish and foreign airlines operating domestic routes for trying to cash in on the festive season.
In some cases, it is apparently cheaper to fly overseas for Christmas and New Year.
Those looking to fly from Ibiza and Minorca have been worst hit.
For example, some airlines are charging 450 euros for return flights to Madrid from Ibiza and Minorca while from Palma, travellers can get away with around 230 euros.

Barcelona is the cheapest destination to fly to from the island while the most expensive is Bilbao.
Air Berlin is the only airline while operates regular daily flights but on key Christmas dates, tickets have shot up to around 400 euros from Palma and 500 euros from Ibiza and Minorca.

Normally, the air fares are between 120 and 170 euros.
Valencia is also an expensive destination this festive season.
At a time of financial crisis, the tourist industry believes that travellers are being abused and only those who absolutely have to will be flying over Christmas and New Year.