Surge in airline spending as fans seek routes to Prague

Card spending also surged at home and abroad during Ireland's game against Hungary. Picture: Ryan Byrne

Ireland football fans drove a surge in airline spending in the immediate aftermath of the Fifa draw last Thursday as they rushed to book flights for the World Cup playoff match against Czechia.

Card spending data from AIB shows spending by its customers on flights increased by 69% to €250,000 between 1pm and 2pm on November 20. Airlines Ryanair and Aer Lingus have added extra flights, with fares rising above usual rates given the demand from fans.

AIB said its spending data did not just cover direct flights to Prague but also the various routes innovative supporters have planned and navigated across Europe.

The data also shows spending habits by travelling football fans for previous games. The fans who travelled to Hungary this month netted record spending, mostly on food and drink. 

Sunday, November 16, resulted in the highest level of AIB customer spending in Hungary over the past two years, even surpassing a notable spike seen during the Sziget music festival in August. 

More than a third of spending was in restaurants (33.6%), significantly more than pubs (18.6%), and fast-food outlets (5.4%). The data also indicates spending in pubs far outpaced off-licences (0.3%), and gift purchases were relatively minimal (1.4%). 

Duty-free accounted for 4.1% of the spend, taxis for 2.7%, and 1.1% of spending was directed towards tobacconists. The average restaurant transaction was €25.46.

On the same day, pub spending in Ireland rose by 10% compared to the previous Sunday. With the nail-biting finish and the 96th-minute winning hat-trick goal from Troy Parrott, many fans chose to linger and celebrate after the final whistle, with more drinks purchased in Irish pubs during the hour after the match (4pm-5pm) than during the drama of the game itself (2pm-4pm).

“The buoyant mood sweeping the country in the wake of the Irish football team’s achievements is palpable," AIB’s head of consumer Adrian Moynihan said. 

"Our analysis shows that spending patterns are closely mirroring this national optimism, especially on match days, with fans coming together to support both their team and their local businesses, whether at home or abroad. 

"The record spending in Budapest and the lively celebrations at home are a testament to the unwavering loyalty and pride of Irish football supporters, who continue to back their team all the way, on and off the pitch. 

AIB remains committed to supporting communities and celebrating moments that unite the nation, recognising the powerful role that sport plays in the social and economic life of Ireland.”