SAFC fans travelling to Europe face rocketing flight price hikes of up to 13 times normal fares

Sunderland fans looking to fly to Milan to take in the Black Cats foray to the San Siro to take on AC Milan face an air fare price hike of up to over 13 times compared to flying on the same flights the previous week.

For decades, Black Cats fans have endured taunts by Newcastle fans with chants of ‘have you ever seen a Mackem in Milan’?

Following last week’s Europa League draw, Sunderland AFC fans were revelling in at last being able to put the song to bed after being drawn away to the Italian giants.

However, with thousands of fans set to travel Milan to soak in the occasion, ‘budget’ airlines have responded to demand with eye-watering price hikes - even as some fans were in the process of booking their flights.

With Sunderland due to take on AC Milan at 8pm on Thursday, December 10, many fans will be looking to head out on the Wednesday and return the day after the game on Friday, December 11.

With no regular direct return flights on these dates from either Teesside or Newcastle airports, the two closest airports with direct flights to Milan are Manchester and Edinburgh.

A Skyscanner search revealed an Easyjet flight from Manchester to Milan Linate, flying out on December 9 at 1.05pm and returning from Milan Malpensa at 5.45pm on Friday, December 11, is retailing at £1,092.

The same Easyjet flights on the same days the week before are currently retailing for £81 - nearly 13-and-a-half times less.

While direct flights going out on the same dates from Edinburgh Airport are significantly cheaper, they’ve still been massively increased compared to the previous week.

Ryan Air is currently offering the cheapest flights, with a return journey departing Edinburgh on Wednesday, December 9, at 3.45pm and returning from Milan Bergamo on Friday, December 11, at 7.25pm currently retailing at £545. The same flights on the same days the week before currently cost £127.

Before heading to Milan, Sunderland will face Portuguese side Torreense, who due to restrictions with their stadium will play their Europa League games at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria, around 100 miles north of Lisbon.

The fixture will take place on Thursday, October 15, at 5.45pm.

Portugal trip

With no direct flight to Lisbon from Newcastle, Manchester will once again be an airport of choice for many SAFC fans heading to Portugal.

Easyjet’s website is currently not showing availability or prices for flying out on Wednesday, October 14, presumably as the flight is fully booked due to the demand from Sunderland fans.

Supporters flying back to Manchester on Friday, October 16, will face a flight cost of £443, £100 more than the previous Friday.

Hotel Prices

Whilst flight prices have rocketed, accommodation costs for the international hotel chains in Milan and Lisbon don’t currently seem to have been inflated.

Radisson’s Santa Sofia hotel is currently retailing at £296 pe rnight for two people on Thursday December 10 - the day of the game - compared to £277 on Thursday December 3.

Radisson’s Palazzo Touring Club, which is just 1.13 miles from Milan’s centre, actually has a cheaper overnight rate on the day of the fixture compared to the previous Thursday.

In Lisbon, Holiday Inn’s Express hotel, the closest to the city centre, is offering an overnight stay for two people with breakfast on Thursday, October 15, the day of the game, for £145 - the same price as Thursday, October 8.

Hays Travel Packages

Sunderland based Hays Travel is currently offering travel packages for all four fixtures in the Black Cats European campaign. Packages are for one-night stays, including flights and overnight accommodation, with trips departing on the day of the game and returning on the afternoon of the following day.

Prices for Sunderland’s first fixture against Torreense are currently being advertised from £622 per person, whilst prices for the Milan trip start at £589.

Hays are also offering packages for the Black Cats away trips to Anderlecht on Thursday January 21, with prices starting at £543, and SAFC’s trip to play Lech Poznan on Thursday October 22, with packages to Poland starting at £594 per person.

Prices are based on two people sharing a room and you can find out more details on the Hays Travel website at https://www.haystravel.co.uk/europe-here-we-come/.

What the Fans think

While concerned the cost of trips and flights may be prohibitive to some fans fulfilling a half-a-century wait to see their team play in Europe, the overwhelming feeling amongst fans is still one of excitement.

Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley said: “I was two when Sunderland last played in Europe and so I’m still in somewhat disbelief. The cost of flights will no doubt mean some fans going into debt, but there’s so much excitement, it’s something supporters will no doubt do.

“I’m hoping to head out to the fixtures with some of the volunteers from the museum. To save on costs, we may look to take the minibus across on the ferry from Hull and then drive to the games.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme editor, Paul Dobson, who added: “I was 17 the last time we played in Europe and I remember the home games at Roker Park, but I didn’t travel away.

“I’m determined to go, but with the price of the flights, it’s going to be difficult. You are probably looking at £2,500 to go to all the games. A friend of mine booked a flight for £40, only to be told by the airline the flight had been cancelled. When he logged on to book it again, the cost had risen to over £500.

“I’m definitely going to go to the Anderlecht game. I’ve arranged to drive down with a friend and we’re going to travel there via the Channel Tunnel.

“I really want to get to the Milan game and I’m sure all the fans will be singing about Mackems in Milan.”

The last time SAFC played in Europe the team was captained by 1973 FA Cup winning skipper Bobby Kerr, who is a close friend of Michael.

Michael said: “Bobby is a fan like everyone else, and I will be doing my best to get him to the games.”

The prices quoted are obviously subject to change.