Flights from the UK’s biggest airport could soon be cheaper – here’s why
HOLIDAYMAKERS could soon pay less for flights from a top UK airport after its landing fees were slashed by regulators.
Landing fees at Heathrow Airport will fall over the next two years, which could mean cheaper flights for passengers.
According to This Is Money, The Civil Aviation Authority has reduced landing fee charges at the airport.
The charges will fall to £23.73 per passenger in 2025, and they will drop by an additional two pence in 2026 to £23.71.
Previously, the proposed caps stood at £25.24 and £25.28, respectively.
The news comes following a ruling from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in October after it weighed in on a row between Heathrow Airport and several popular airlines like British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
At the time, Heathrow Airport argued that it should be able to charge up to £40 per passenger for its landing fees.
This was in a bid to recover revenue lost during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Landing fee charges are typically passed on to holidaymakers through the cost of their tickets.
Even though the cost of landing fees at Heathrow Airport are set to drop, significantly cheaper tickets might not be on the cards.
John Grant, an expert at aviation consultancy OAG, told This is Money: “Airport fees and charges are a very small part of an airlines operating costs.”
He also added that any savings passed onto passengers would be limited.
It is not yet know how much passengers could be expected to save on the cost of their flights.
Until the measures come into force, there are plenty of other ways passengers can save on the cost of their holidays.
What is the cheapest month to buy flights in the UK?
According to Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, booking flights in the first two months of the year could make them cheaper.
He revealed that fares will often be sold at a loss during January and February in order to fill the planes up.
The same is said for the dates just before the peak school holidays.
Speaking to the Independent in January 2024, he said those winter months are the best time of year to find the cheapest air fares.
He explained: “There will always be periods of time, particularly… January, February, before you get to the school mid-term break or the Easter holidays or summer — where we’re trying to fill flights.
“We’re happy to fill flights at loss-making air fares. So there will still be lots of low air fares.”
Even with those lower prices in January and February, O’Leary still sticks by comments he made around this time last year when he said that the days of £9.99 flights were over.
He said the price of fuel now means the airline cannot afford to go that low anymore.
He continued: “We’re now paying $80 (£63) a barrel for fuel. I don’t think you’ll see a return to £9.99 air fares but £15, £20, £25 is still a phenomenally cheap air fare.”
What is the cheapest day to book flights?
Anyone looking up advice on when to book cheap flights will see lots of outlets saying Tuesday is the best day of the week for deals because airlines often release sales starting from Monday night or Tuesday morning.
Because the air travel business is heavily based on supply and demand, you will most likely get a better deal nearer the start of a sale.
Although there is no best day of the year to book a flight, a number of experts recommend booking on any Sunday in January to get the cheapest prices.
Does the time of the day affect flight prices?
Opting for an unsociable, early-morning flight can save you money, while also improving your chances of getting a better seat.
Frequent flyer Zach Griff told The Points Guy: “Families would likely have a hard time travelling with kids at 6am, and only those who don’t mind a 4am (or earlier) alarm can make these early-morning flights work.
“Airline revenue managers know this and that’s typically why the first flight of the morning is the cheapest one.
“There’s much less demand and that reality is often reflected in the fares.”
Tips for saving money on flights
HERE are some of the best ways you can save money on flights
Mistake Fares
A mistake fare is essentially an error that occurs when airlines or travel agents accidentally list the wrong price for a flight.
It might happen when airline staff accidentally leave out a zero — or two — while listing the cost of a ticket online.
While the odds of airlines making these mistakes are fairly low, such incidents do occur from time to time — and travellers can save hundreds of pounds by just keeping an eye out.
However, they will have to be quick as airlines will remove these prices as soon as they spot the mistake.
Being flexible
Being fussy about where you go on holiday can reduce your options for saving money.
Going on Google Flights and clicking on the map instead of searching for a specific destination will show you the cheapest rates to a number of cities.
That way you can make sure you head to the most affordable destination, or at least choose somewhere with cheap flights.
Avoid pricey luggage additions
Most airlines now charge extra for passengers to check luggage in during their flights and it’s much more affordable to fly with just carry-on.
So practice packing before you fly and make sure you can squash everything into a case or bag that will fit in the airline’s hand luggage rules — it could save you a fair amount.
Meanwhile, these 16 rules should be followed before booking any holiday.
And these easy tricks can help you cut holiday costs.
