Flying nowhere this winter... | EFE

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Palma.—British expatriates living on the island and holiday home owners in Britain are being forced to go to almost outrageous measures to get back to Britain or visit the island during the winter months because of the shortage of flights.
A Bulletin survey on our social media sites showed that it was not only a problem of  lack of flights  but the cost also. Here are just a few of the nightmare travel scenarios and comments over the shortage of flights from readers on our facebook site.   

Comment One
I commute. Flying home to see the family on weekends in Bolton is now really awkward. Liverpool flights are Tuesday and Saturday sold out early, full or over 250 pounds.  Stansted or Gatwick are the only options, cheaper but rail fares at peak times are 200 pounds. Why-oh-why is the North of England shut to Majorca bound Brits?

Comment Two
Last winter Southend did flights twice a week but this year they have stopped . I don’t know why because we came out every month and the flights were always 90 per cent full.

Comment Three
I was an estate agent in 2003/4/5 in Majorca and quite often think of the hundreds of Scottish, Irish and northern English holiday home owners who were sold to on the basis of low cost airlines making their holiday homes accessible in the winter for short breaks. I imagine these properties are back on the market again this year.

Comment Four
German airlines are putting on more flights this winter because of demand. Roughly the same flight time; so if they can!!!!

Comment Five
I own a property in Cala Millor and would love it  if  there were winter flights from Scotland so I could get over there for 3-4days a couple of times until March. Just now it’s not worth it (price wise) and  would love it if there was at least one flight from Scotland to the beautiful island which is my  secondhome. The demand is here as I know of a lot of people (in Scotland) that would jump at the chance to get out for a lovely break.

Comment Six
We are travelling back to North West England on Friday, and our most economical option is a Germanwings via Dusseldorf  for a 3.5 hr layover and then on to Manchester. Cost 145euros one way. Easy jet to Liverpool the day after cost 345 euros! And they say there is no demand for seats! What a joke. Other than a couple of flights over Christmas there are no flights between Palma and Manchester between late October and March . Just two  per week to Liverpool and because of demand the prices are sky high. I simply cannot understand why just a few flights are not available during the low season.

Comment Seven
We have had a home on Majorca for 20 years and every year there are fewer and fewer winter flights, so good luck with trying to get the airlines to fly from regional airports……. Unlikely in the near future.

Comment Eight
The airlines are doing what they are doing to maximise their profit rather than provide a service. They will continue to do so until the Majorcan authorities do something about it.