Airlines

EasyJet holiday bookings up despite cost-of-living crisis

EasyJet launches new routes and holidays for summer 2023

Research by easyJet conducted with 2000 UK consumers in mid November 2022 showed that 64% plan to fly abroad in 2023.
Protecting holiday spend remains a priority for most with three quarters saying it was one of their most important plans for next year and 70% agreed that they will prioritize a holiday over other expenditure in their yearly budget.
In order to protect their holidays next year people will book with a low-cost carrier (66%), be flying short haul instead of long haul (74%) and travel to closer-to-home destinations in Europe (70%)

A survey conducted by easyJet of 2000 UK consumers this month has shown that almost two-thirds (64%) are planning on flying abroad in 2023. Holidays topped the list of most important things people planned to spend on in 2023, with two-thirds (66%) saying this was the most important.

easyJet surprising passengers with free flights.(Opens in a new browser tab)

Three quarters of those surveyed said it was one of their most important objectives for the upcoming year, and 70% of respondents indicated they would prioritize a vacation over other expenses in their annual budget. People will prioritize their vacation over other discretionary expenses like eating out (46%), buying new clothes (40%), and house upgrades (33%).

Consumers are also looking at the way they travel to prioritize a holiday, with two thirds of people saying they are more likely to book with a low-cost carrier (66%), while three quarters of people are more likely to fly short haul instead long haul (74%) and holiday in closer to home destinations in Europe (70%), in order to protect their holidays. The majority (80%) also believed that holidaying in the UK can be more expensive than abroad.

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Around half of respondents said they still plan to go on the same number of holidays that they usually plan for and spend the same amount, while around a quarter of people plan to go on more and spend more on holidays compared to last year. Half of Brits are planning on taking at least one holiday in 2023.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, almost all surveyed (94%) agreed that going away on holiday is one of the most enjoyable experiences. 86% said having a holiday is a priority for them, with 57% saying this is because of the quality time it allows them to spend with friends and family and the opportunity it provides to recharge (48%), while the significant majority of people (83%) said holidays are crucial to their emotional wellbeing.

Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.