Airlines rub their hands at World Cup bonanza

Airlines are bracing themselves for unprecedented demand for flights to Germany after England supporters were invited to attend next summer’s World Cup – with or without tickets.

More than 100,000 fans are expected to flock to Germany with the cities of Frankfurt, Nuremburg and Cologne hosting England’s group matches on June 10, 15 and 20.

Return prices on Lufthansa to Frankfurt for England’s first match against Paraguay had already hit £456 although BA still had tickets for under £200.

Easyjet meanwhile had one-way tickets to Frankfurt for £45.99 departing June 8, rising to £95.99 the following day.

The prices are expected to rocket as demand increases.

BA flights to Berlin around the July 9 World Cup final have already reached £650 return.

The decision to invite ticketless fans to the tournament is a major shift from the usual appeals for those without tickets to stay at home.

But German tourist chiefs are determined to create a carnival atmosphere in the 12 host cities and aim to stage ‘People’s festivals’. Huge screens will be erected in city squares with street entertainment helping to create a colourful atmosphere.

Such vast numbers are bound to stretch accommodation with camp sites likely to be set up just outside the cities.

Police have said such large numbers of travelling supporters could lessen the potential for trouble, believing the carnival atmosphere and likely appearance of more families and women would dampen the urge to cause mayhem.