Airline services hit by economic problems

Ferry travel could become a welcome alternative to many holidaymakers over the coming months as the number of air services is set to fall as a result of the problems in the economy.

New figures released by the Official Airline Guide (OAG) suggest that flight capacity in Europe will be cut in the final quarter of the year.

The number of intra-European flights will be five per cent lower in the final three months of the year than in the same period of 2007, according to the research.

Steve Casley, chief operating officer of OAG, said that economic problems are having an impact on the aviation industry in Europe and said that airlines are "extremely vulnerable and quick to react to economic downturns and subsequent shifts in market demand".

In contrast to these problems in the aviation sector, Simon Johnson of P&O Ferries recently told TravelMole TV that there is "great future" for ferry travel.

Speaking at the Association of British Travel Agents convention in Gran Canaria, he said that financial pressures are leading people to "find the alternative of travelling by ferry".

Dover - Calais

1 x Foot Passenger(s) Return

Travelling on:

31/05/2012 - 31/05/2012

£13

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Dover - Calais

Car + 2 Return

Travelling on:

31/05/2012 - 31/05/2012

£20

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Dover - Calais

Car + 4 Return

Travelling on:

04/06/2012 - 04/06/2012

£20

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