PRICES FOR flights to the cities closest to Cardiff on the weekend of the Heineken Cup final have increased by as much as 1,000 per cent since Munster secured their qualification last Saturday, leaving some fans furious at having to pay what they see as rip-off prices.
The total cost of flying with Ryanair from Dublin to Bristol early on the morning of the cup final between Munster and Toulouse and returning late the following evening was €454.25 yesterday morning. Flights with the airline to the same airport on the Friday evening, returning on Sunday, cost just under €400.
The cost of Ryanair flights to Bristol on the following weekend, however, are just €53.31, with the airline charging nothing at all for the Saturday flight save for taxes and charges of €9.99.
Flights from Shannon to Bristol on the weekend of the final will set Munster fans back €553, while the same flights a week later are currently available for €126.
Aer Lingus has arranged for special flights from Shannon to Cardiff on the morning of the match, returning a day later, and yesterday afternoon return tickets were available for €431.
Consumers’ Association of Ireland chief executive Dermott Jewell said Irish consumers had grown accustomed to sharp price increases associated with many major events.
“It’s not just happening with the airlines but with hotels as well. It is business at its highest, most profit-taking level. It’s not at all pleasant for consumers, and I believe it shows great disrespect and a lack of loyalty to customers who once again are being bled dry.”
Ryanair spokesman Peter Sherrard denied the airline was ripping passengers off. Demand had driven up the price of “the last few seats” on many flights into the airports close to the Millennium stadium where the match takes place.
