The cost of summer flight deals has dropped by more than 40 per cent this year – and there are great offers to be had to Egypt and Spain.
Research by online travel agent On the Beach shows that popular summer sun destinations such as Sharm El Sheikh are up to 40 per cent cheaper this year compared to last. Along with Egypt, the Spanish Islands of Gran Canaria and Ibiza are among the destinations witnessing the greatest decrease in flight prices, down 39 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.
Mainland Spain is also benefiting from a slash in flight prices, with the holiday hubs of Girona which serves the Costa Brava and Reus, gateway to the Costa Dorada, both showing a decrease in flight prices of 34 per cent.
The research also shows that prices in August are down by 28 per cent compared to last summer, despite a further rise in APD tax.
Booking data from On the Beach, also shows that Spain reigns again as the leading holiday hot spot this summer, with millions of British holidaymakers heading to its sun drenched beaches. Of the top 10 most popular destinations for Brits this summer, Spain featured eight times.
The Balearic Island of Majorca (above) is named the most popular holiday hot spot this summer, closely followed by Tenerife and Ibiza. The Algarve in Portugal and Dalaman in Turkey are the only two destinations outside of Spain to feature in the top 10.
Alistair Daly of On the Beach said: “The decrease in flight prices this year is no doubt welcome news to many holidaymakers. Following another rise in APD, airlines have slashed prices in order to stay competitively priced and continue to attract a greater share of passengers. It would appear the savings from the decreased flight prices is going to good use and resulting in holidaymakers treating themselves to 10 and 14 night breaks, enjoying their hard earned holiday for longer.”
Percentage decrease in flight prices by airport
1st | Sharm El Sheikh | 40% | Egypt |
2nd | Gran Canaria | 39% | Spain |
3rd | Ibiza | 38% | Spain |
4th | Girona | 34% | Spain |
5th | Reus | 34% | Spain |
6th | Malta | 33% | Malta |
7th | Mallorca | 30% | Spain |
8th | Fuerteventura | 30% | Spain |
9th | Antalya | 27% | Turkey |
10th | Heraklion | 24% | Greece |
11th | Tenerife | 22% | Spain |
12th | Faro | 22% | Portugal |
13th | Malaga | 20% | Spain |
14th | Alicante | 15% | Spain |
15th | Ioannis Kapodistrias | 14% | Greece |
Top 10 most popular holiday destinations this summer
1st | Majorca |
2nd | Tenerife |
3rd | Ibiza |
4th | Costa de Algarve |
5th | Lanzarote |
6th | Gran Canaria |
7th | Costa Brava |
8th | Costa Blanca |
9th | Dalaman |
10th | Fuerteventura |