Press Release

Issued by .

July 4, 2016

New research from Magnus Aviation, a UK-based private jet charter business, reveals that demand for flights to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport from Cardiff Airport has pushed up commercial airline prices to the point where it would only cost between GBP700 to GBP950 more per person to charter a direct private jet to watch Wales play this week's European Championship semi-final against Portugal.

The cost of commercial flights to Lyon have soared ahead of the match this Wednesday, with the cheapest return flights from Cardiff airport to the city currently ranging from GBP650 to GBP900, with no direct flights available between the two airports. These flights can take between six and twenty one hours due to the stopover.

In order to enjoy the perks of private travel, which include champagne, an open bar, light snacks and VIP catering, football-goers would need to travel in a group of nine. The full cost of chartering a nine-seater is approximately GBP14,500 from Cardiff and GBP13,400 from Luton.

Welsh fans based in England looking to save a bit extra could charter a nine seater jet from Luton Airport near London to Lyon and save themselves a further GBP100 per person.

James Armstrong, head of commercial development at Magnus Aviation said: “Wales have done incredibly well to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. It is no surprise that 20,000 fans travelled to Lille for the quarter-finals and almost half the nation tuning in to watch their victory over Belgium. However, with very few commercial flights still available and those that are costing just under a thousand pounds, we would hate for fans to miss out.

“As such, our research shows what it would cost for them to charter a private jet with a group of friends or colleagues and have the VIP experience of supporting their team.”