Malta has experienced an uncommon boon this year in their tourist trade. It appears that their popularity is on the rise as a popular, affordable destination for more travelers on holiday. And much of this success can be attributed to the increase in affordable flights to and from the exotic destination.
Airlines, especially low-cost airlines, are accustomed to record sales during the peak travel months of summer, but not so much in the winter months. Malta's home based airlines are reporting a record breaking winter season this year with more than 500,000 passengers originating from their home base of Malta's Luqa Airport. The winter months, November 2007 through March 2008, showed a remarkable 15 percent increase over the 2006 winter season.
Malta's charter air traffic is on the increase as well and is reporting a 21 percent increase over last year's figures. And it's not just the Maltese who are prospering: the market reported the largest increase as being Italy with 41 percent. Germany came in a close second at 32 percent with France at 25 percent and the U.K. by 6 percent.
Airline executives are reporting double-digit growth every month during the winter season. The question arises as to why this has happened. This success can be attributed to several factors:
* Existing code-share agreements between a network of airlines a network allow travelers daily access via European hubs. In its entirety, the network of airlines offers access to more than 180 destinations worldwide.
* Airline ticket sales via the Internet are credited as well with sales increases during the winter months.
* Many of these have added additional destinations to their list of available destinations.
* In addition to the introduction of new available destinations, airlines are increasing capacity and the frequency of flights to other major European hubs. Times are difficult around the globe these days; both financially and politically. Now more than ever people want a break from it all in a place they can afford to visit while feeling secure in their person visiting. Many Europeans are choosing to look closer to home for their travel destinations for both of these reasons. Malta and many other near island resort sports are becoming more popular than ever.
The success of low-cost airlines proves that current currency exchange rates have not had the negative impact on international travel that was anticipated. Passengers are simply being more mindful of prices that fit their travel plans and budgets. In fact, business for most of the low-cost airlines that make frequent flights to and from Malta as well as the Balearic and Canary Islands, has seen a dramatic increase. This increase is expected to rise even more; at least for the short while.
Airlines have already promised more frequent flights to and from favorite travel destinations for the 2008 summer travel season. Increased flights at reduced prices and the availability of packaged travel deals are sure to be big hits with tourists this year. It would appear that major global excursions are out and neatly-packaged, convenient and affordable holiday hotspots are the flavor of 2008.
In the days before the low cost airlines air travel was prohibitively expensive for many people. However, the advent of airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair - and the others that have followed in their wake - mean that today it is possible to travel to Barcelona for prices that previously would have appeared to be absurdly cheap. it is possible to find a budget flight if you know where to look. Part of Barcelona's success as a tourist destination is the number of low-cost flights to the city.
One of the first routes that EasyJet flew was from Luton to Barcelona. The low cost of living in Barcelona was one huge attraction as it meant that people could live it up for a few days without breaking the bank and the city was undergoing a change for the better largely due investment in infrastructure and modernisation due to the 1992 Olympics.
Established in 1995, EasyJet has 166 airplanes that fly the friendly skies from 20 spots across Europe. The figures speak for themselves. In 2008 alone, Easy Jet transported 44.5 million people aboard their airlines.
Ryanair was founded in 1985 and when in 1991 the airline needed restructuring it was modelled after a Southwest Airlines, a US airline that offered a low cost, no-frills service, which was hugely successful. By scheduling flights into regional airports, the company was able to cut overheads to the bone and by 1995, on the 10th anniversary of Ryanair's debut, the airline carried 2.25 million passengers. Today a huge part of th airlines cost advantages are due to the way in which they embraced the internet as a sales channel early on.
In order to get the best price possible you need to book online and as early as possible and neither airline pays commission to travel agents, thereby cutting out any other costs - you can only book direct with these airlines.
Generally you'll find that travelling mid week gives the best deals, although flights very early or late can also prove to be cheaper than at peak hours. While Easyjet flights direct to Barcelona airport, you should be aware that Ryanair's flights to Girona Airport - one hour and twenty minutes north of Barcelona - can save you money, but you need to budget the time and expense of travelling to and from Barcelona.
The budget airlines may not have all the frills - onboard movies, drinks, snacks or other luxuries - but they will allow you to enjoy your destination by allowing you to save on the flight and therefore splash out a little when you get there.
One of the ways in which Easyjet saves money is by not allocating seats, so there is a bit of a scrum on boarding. Ryanair does allocate seats, but on many flights they do not recline. Getting a good seat therefore is rather hit or miss, but get to the airport early to check in as Easyjet do give passengers who check in earlier priority boarding.
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Roger Munns has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Family Travel and Cars. For Luqa Airport and visit yourmalta.comThe guide also has the