Opportunistic airline Ryanair are charging Liverpool supporters almost £400 for ‘football special’ flights to Dortmund ahead of next month’s Europa League quarterfinal.
The Irish airline told supporters extra flights would be put on especially for Liverpool fans hoping to travel to the biggest match yet of Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
However, those flights must be booked as two singles – flying out on Thursday afternoon and coming back on Friday – costing £172 out and £206 back. That’s £378 in total. When you include match ticket, transfers, overnight stay and food and drink – you can probably double that.
In contrast, Dortmund fans can make the same trip, with Ryanair, for half the price one week later!
Shocking.
“It was the main subject of discussion at Southampton on Sunday,” Spirit of Shankly spokesman Roy Bentham told the ECHO. “Everyone was talking about the price of these ‘special’ flights, and how they keep on rising.
“Ryanair are marketing these flights as being specially chartered, but the price is not fixed. You can have one lad sitting in one seat who has paid £200, and one lad sat next to him who has paid double that.
“To us that looks like opportunism, and a lot of fans are quite angry about it.”
Ryanair spokesperson Robin Kiely responded: “Ryanair offers Europe’s lowest air fares, which are sold on a first come, first served basis, and rise only as quickly as the lowest fare class are sold.
“Our Europa League specials have been selling fast since they went on sale, and are almost full, and we look forward to bringing hundreds of fans to/from Liverpool and Dortmund.”
It’s a shame to yet again be reporting on mega business financially stitching up football fans.
A Liverpool protest signalled the end of a £77 ticket next term, which was at huge credit to both fans and the club – but there’s ow way that kind of supporter action will have a similar effect on an airline.
Dortmund’s going to be a brilliant trip. Let’s hope all that deserve to go have their flights sorted already.