Why you need to book Christmas Santa holidays to avoid paying more

FAMILIES have been warned that they need to book their Christmas trips to Lapland now, or risk missing out.

Festive holidays are probably the last thing on people’s minds right now, but spaces on flights for Christmas trips are already filling up fast.

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It comes amid fears of price hikes later in the year, with people worried that flights will become too expensive.

Travel company Newmarket Holidays have said that the day trips to Swedish Lapland that they offer are already starting to sell out.

Head of trade sales Richard Forde told Travel Weekly: “Santa experiences are one of our most popular tours, with families getting the chance to meet Santa in his cabin, take a snowmobile ride and enjoy the wintery paradise of Swedish Lapland.

“The day-long Lapland breaks have been selling quickly over the past few weeks as people plan ahead to help manage their Christmas costs, which means that festive flights are filling up already.”

The holiday company said that the fastest selling flights were from Belfast, Norwich and Humberside.

Tickets for the Lapland Santa Experience Day Trip is on sale from £630, which includes a 10 per cent discount until February 28.

A number of factors are likely to see flight prices rise this year, including demand and taxes on carbon emissions.

The EU is hoping to increase levies for “carbon-intensive industries” forcing them to pay extra for their pollution.

The Financial Times claim that analysts predict a rise in ticket prices of as much as €10 (£8.84) per person per return flight.

The threat of increased fares comes as EU lawmakers gave an initial green-light to the changes to their carbon pricing regulations.

Airports Council International (ACI Europe) director Olivier Jankovec, told an industry conference the changes would “result in increasing costs for airlines, increasing fares and lower demand.” 

High oil prices are also having an effect, with Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary warning that budget flight prices could be a thing of the past soon.

The airline’s chief said holidaymakers won’t see really low fares for the next year or two.

Mr O’Leary said: “I don’t think you’ll see £9.99 flights for a long time.”

However, for those hoping to get to Lapland for their winter breaks, there could be good news with a tiny UK airport hoping to launch more flights.

Humberside Airport in North Lincolnshire is one of the smallest airports in the UK.

However, the number of destinations could expand soon, due to the closure of Doncaster Sheffield airport.

Last month, councillor Claire Homes from East Riding Council said she hoped the airport would be able to expand.

She told Hull Live: “Following the closure of Doncaster Airport, it’s anticipated that Humberside Airport will become a focus.

“Demand from both leisure and business travellers is expected to increase, which will maximize the opportunities for Humber residents and businesses.

“The council will continue to liaise with neighbouring authorities about this, and we will look to promote the site. We will highlight Humberside Airport as a key resource.”

The airport offers services to Amsterdam, Denmark and Majorca, as well several flights to Lapland during the winter.

For a holiday in the sun instead, TUI Blue has up to 50 per cent off beach holidays, from £342pp, including fights.

We also found all-inclusive winter sun holidays in Cape Verde from £616pp, including flights.

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