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Fly deals for Braga match as fans rage at airline hikes
POMPEY have teamed up with Thomson Sport to offer fans package deals for the match against SC Braga on Thursday, October 23.
Available to season ticket holders, the official travel package includes return flights from London Gatwick to Porto and a match ticket.
Deals are available as a day trip or overnight package, with prices starting from 329.
Tickets include the help of a Thomson Sport representative who is on hand to assist throughout the trip and bus transfers into Braga, so fans can soak up the atmosphere before the big game.
Day trip tickets include a transfer back to the airport, boarding the return flight to London Gatwick that night.
Full details of similar packages for the Wolfsburg match are due to be released soon.
These tours include both day trips and overnight packages, the majority of which will fly from Southampton and London Gatwick Airport.
To book call Thomson Sport on 0845 121 2018 or visit www.thomsonsport.com/tour.php?id=730
>> Meanwhile budget airlines have come under fire for hiking fares ahead of Pompey's European away matches.
Fans have complained of prices tripling since Tuesday's Uefa Cup draw, as firms try to capitalise on the club's European adventure.
Earlier this week, a return flight with Ryanair from London Stansted to Porto, Portugal – for Pompey's game against SC Braga on October 23 – cost from 80.
But now the same flight will set fans back more than 260 – an increase of more than 300 per cent.
Similarly, Flybe has made increases from 109 to 330 for flights from Southampton to Hanover, around the date of the clash with German side Wolfsburg on Thursday, December 4.
Pompey fans have been venting their fury to The News and on internet message boards about the price hikes.
Tony Goodall, chairman of Portsmouth Independent Supporters Association, said: 'I suppose it is just an issue of supply and demand and that is the way business is run.
'But there is no need to make two or three hundred per cent on tickets every time.'
Jonathan Mitchem, from Holiday Which? magazine, said: 'It is outrageous that airlines can get away with charging these prices.
'It is so bad but it is just the way things are. It is just supply and demand and if airlines feel they can charge those prices then they will. In these days of economic slow-down, it is unfortunate that airlines will look for easy targets to make money from.'
Pompey fan Karl Hodgkins, from Portchester, added: 'It's absolutely ridiculous. I think it is far too expensive. When the draw was announced on Tuesday a friend of mine got his flight straight away, 20 minutes later it was already 60 more expensive.
'A lot of people will not be able to go because it would cost too much. I'm going to Germany but I'm going to drive – it will be so much cheaper.'
Airlines defended their ticket prices.
Flybe denied that the recent price hikes were extortionate. Spokeswoman Catherine Sharrott said: 'The travel industry, including rail, shippping and aviation, assess their ticket pricing based on the amount of tickets available and the amount sold.
'For those wishing to purchase the best deal, we always advise passengers to book as early as possible in order to enjoy the cheapest possible fare.'
Ryanair was unavailable for comment.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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