Gulf carriers hike London prices
Originally published on www.businesstravellerme.com 17/02/2012 - Filed under: News »
Gulf airlines appear to be cashing in on the Olympics by hiking their prices this summer.
The sporting showcase runs between July 27-August 12.
Emirates' current online economy fares for travel between Dubai and London during the peak period are AED4,750, around AED1,000 more than normal, while business class fares cost AED13,110.
Etihad's economy fares are slightly more reasonable at AED3,810 although curiously its business fares are considerably more expensive at AED20,050.
Qatar's online economy fares currently stand at QAR4,240 while its business class fares cost QAR16,300.
High fares are likely to deter travellers and impact hotel bookings, a scenario which VisitBritain and hoteliers were keen to avoid in line with the fair pricing and practice charter.
On the ground, corporate fervour for the games has yet to ignite.
Only one in six Business Traveller readers have bought tickets to this year’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with nearly three quarters saying they are not planning to do so (click here).
This week VisitBritain launched a £25 million 'Great' advertisting campaign to promote the UK in the run-up to the Olympics and Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Report by Dominic Ellis
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COMMENTS »
alistairNicoll - 17/02/2012 11:14
On the whole the Gulf airlines offer an excellent service with good prices to and from Europe in order in many cases to fill up planes that would otherwise not be economic due to the need very often to change planes.
I imagine that they have excellent yield management systems and if they believe that they can fill the planes there is no need for them to discount. I see no reason why they should not be allowed to profit from their ability to fill a plane as will all airlines - they are not a charity. If BA are offering lower fares then they of course will attract more business but somehow I doubt if they will
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