Flight Centre Predicts Airfares to Be Record Hit

Media Releas

07 October 2013

Flight Centre Predicts Airfares to Be Record Hit with Kiwi Travellers

Flight Centre, New Zealand’s largest travel retailer, is predicting travel to the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe in 2014 to be a record hit with Kiwi travellers, with some exceptional pricing available.  

Flight Centre New Zealand’s general manager of product, Simon McKearney, says that with the combination of cheap airfares and the Commonwealth Games being held in Europe next year, anyone planning to travel over this period should secure their flights now to avoid disappointment.

“We are seeing return airfares to London priced under NZ$2,000 per person and return to Europe from under NZ$1,700 per person. This is exceptional news for Kiwi travellers and the cheapest pricing we have seen in three years. In an already buoyant market, this will only enhance demand.

“Traditionally July to September is the popular season for Kiwis travelling to the UK and Europe and now is the time to book. With the Commonwealth Games running from late July to early August you can expect an increased demand over this period and also during the weeks either side.”

Flight Centre will again hold the largest travel show dedicated to the UK and Europe in Auckland, on Sunday 20 October 2013, where the public can take advantage of the best airfares for European travel in 2014.

Kiwi travellers are also becoming increasingly savvy as they take notice of different departure taxes and the benefits of entering and exiting the UK and Europe via different hubs.

“We have seen a big increase in the number of Kiwis entering and exiting Europe via Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam, avoiding the hefty departure tax of London’s Heathrow airport. This is what we call an open JAW airfare, where you fly into one destination and out of another,” Mr McKearney said.

“It’s an increasingly popular option with Kiwis, allowing them to explore a new destination and having more money in their pockets to do so, by avoiding the charges of the main hub.”

The Discover Europe Travel Expo will be held at ASB Showgrounds and will include exclusive flight specials to the UK and Europe, as well as a wide range of specials for destinations all across the globe.

DIARY DETAIL

Auckland – 20 October, 9am – 4pm, ASB Showgrounds, Greenlan

Wellington – 10 November, 10am – 4pm, TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf

Admission is FREE.

www.flightcentre.co.nz/discovereurope

ENDS

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