More than 1 in 10 parents are taking their children on holiday during term time as airlines hike ticket prices by as much as 1,200%

• 13 per cent of parents have booked a trip with their children during term time  
• Read more: May bank holiday weekend will see temperatures rise as high as 19C 

Increasing numbers of parents are taking their children out of school during term-time as some airlines hike ticket costs by as much as 1,200 per cent.

The price rise over May half-term will hit hard-pressed families who face fines if they travel outside school breaks.

But a survey for the Mail shows many parents are now taking the risk, with 13 per cent having booked a trip with their children during term time.

The poll of 2,000 British holidaymakers, carried out by Holiday Extras, revealed the increase in the number of parents who were choosing to travel during term due to the soaring costs.

When the same poll was carried out in January, 10 per cent of parents said they had booked a holiday during term time.

The price rise over May half-term will hit hard-pressed families who face fines if they travel outside school breaks (file image)

An analysis by the Mail of half-term holiday prices found the cheapest flights to Heraklion, Crete (pictured) from any London airport are on sale with Easyjet for £984.34 per person

It comes as analysis by the Mail of half-term holiday prices found the cheapest flights to Heraklion, Crete – a popular island for May half-term holidays – from any London airport are on sale with Easyjet for £984.34 per person, costing a family of four almost £4,000.

Read more: How YOU can go on an inflation-busting trip to Europe and return the same day for under £25 

Return flights for the same route are advertised on the airline’s website for as little as £71.98 during other times of the year – making the half-term flights 14 times more expensive.

Noel Josephides, chairman of Sunvil Holidays and a director of AITO travel association, said: ‘We’ve got airlines such as BA, Easyjet and Wizz Air who have the monopoly out of big airports and there’s not much anyone can do.

‘These companies made big losses over the pandemic and it’s an attempt to recoup as much as possible.’

Currently, parents could be hit with a £60 fine – which increases to £120 if not paid within 21 days – if they take their child out of school without permission.

Jo Rhodes, deputy Which? travel editor, said: ‘There are plenty of ways to avoid paying over the odds.

‘If you’re flexible on dates, avoid peak times and set up price alerts so you can pounce if the fare drops. All-inclusive holidays are also a good option as they protect food, drink and activity costs against currency fluctuations.’

A spokesman for TUI said: ‘Our prices fluctuate with demand, and we only have a few seats left for flights over the half-term period.

‘We would always encourage customers to book in advance where possible for school holidays and other busy periods.’

A spokesman for BA said: ‘We advise customers to book as far in advance as possible in order to take advantage of our lowest prices.’

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