Airline offers half-price flights to Europe

There are just a few days left for passengers to pick up half-price flights to Europe with low-cost airline Flybe.

The airline's five-day sale, which ends on Wednesday, offers up to 50 per cent off seats to Europe on flybe.com for departures up to December 31.

Flybe admitted the flight sale was due to the recession, which has led to a slump in demand for air travel.

Its sale follows a drastic step by budget carrier Ryanair (ryanair.com) which earlier this month announced that it was giving away one million seats for free. The offer even included taxes and other charges.

Ryanair has since followed its giveaway with another seat sale offering seats for £7.99 one way, excluding taxes. No doubt other offers will follow.

Mike Rutter, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer, said: We're not taking the recession lying down and with this five-day seat sale, Flybe is continuing to take the lead in keeping Britain on the move.

""Our limited time seat sale, with prices cut by up to 50 per cent is the perfect opportunity to bag a bargain flight to a host of British and European destinations.""

While some other budget airlines are slashing routes and pulling out of regional airports, Jet2.com is expanding its low-cost services from Edinburgh for next summer.

The airline is adding flights to Faro in Portugal and Dubrovnik in Croatia from the Scottish airport, starting in May.

Fares for the weekly flights to Dubrovnik beginning on May 2, start at £49.99 one way, including taxes.

Flights to Faro, starting on May 20, start at £34.99 one way, including taxes.

Package holidays are also available to both destinations through Jet2holidays.com.

In total, the airline will offer 10 routes from the Scottish capital next summer.

Passengers booking flights direct with airlines, which give no financial protection if the carrier goes bust, should consider buying Schedule Airline Failure insurance, which can be bolted on to their travel insurance.

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