New figures confirm the rush by Irish consumers to book holidays once restrictions were lifted

Card transactions for airlines jumped 170% last month

Those over the age of 65 recorded the largest increase in airline spending, up 256%. Pic: Larry Cummins

Consumer spending on airlines increased by 170% last month as the removal of Covid restrictions encouraged the public to book holidays.

New data from AIB based on credit and debit card transactions by its customers show overall consumer spending fell by 15% in January when compared with the annual pre-Christmas surge in spending for December. AIB customers spend an average of €73m a day in January through more than one million card transactions.