The great school holiday rip-off: Families pay up to EIGHT TIMES more than normal for flights during half-term holiday 

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Families are being hit with punishing air fare price hikes for half-term flights with tickets up to eight times more expensive than at other times.

The penalty for parents who play by the rules and only take holidays during the official half-term in February - particularly those going on a skiing break - could add up to hundreds of pounds.

Successive governments have taken an increasingly tough line on parents who take their children out of school during term time, which can lead to a fixed penalty fine of £60, rising to £2,500 if the case goes to court.

This means families are at the mercy of airlines, travel companies and British holiday parks which routinely hike prices as soon as the schools break up.

A study of the cost of return flights to 75 holiday destinations from 12 UK regions discovered that flight prices increase by nearly 200 per cent over half-term compared with two weeks later. Selection shown in graphic

The biggest hike was found to be Manchester to Verona, Italy (pictured), which is some 762 per cent more expensive departing on February 13 compared to February 27 - taking the price from £55 per person to £474

This year, Saturday, February 13, marks a double whammy for flight sales because this coincides with the start of half-term and Valentine's Day, fuelling demand and some startling price rises.

A study of the cost of return flights to 75 holiday destinations from 12 UK regions discovered that the average flight price increases by nearly 200 per cent compared with those departing two weeks later.

The biggest hike was found at Manchester Airport where a flight to Verona, Italy, is some 762 per cent more expensive departing on February 13 compared to February 27 - taking the price up from £55 per person to £474.

The second biggest school holiday mark-up was found to be flying from London to the popular skiing destination of Salzburg, Austria, costing 739 per cent more. The return flight for half-term is priced at £470 per person but just two weeks later, it drops back down to just £56.

Meanwhile, those flying from London to Grenoble in France face a 609 per cent mark-up, with prices on February 13 standing at £326 per person, and at just £46 per person two weeks later.

It's not just those in the capital who face higher air fares though. Those living in the Midlands also face an increase to flights of more than 200 per cent.

Flights from Birmingham to Geneva in Switzerland cost around 576 per cent more during half-term compared to other times of the month. On February 13, flights to the Swiss resort cost £399 per person, but just two weeks later on February 27, they cost just £59 per person.

The second biggest school holiday mark-up was found to be flying from London to the popular skiing destination of Salzburg, Austria (pictured), costing 739 per cent more - from £56 up to £470 per person

Flights from Birmingham to Geneva in Switzerland (pictured) cost around 576 per cent more during half-term compared to other times. On February 13, flights cost £399 per person, compared to just £59 on average

There is a similar scenario for those wishing to fly from Nottingham to Milan, Italy. On February 13, flights are priced at £232 per person, compared with just £40 per person on February 27 - a 480 per cent mark-up.

Holidaymakers flying from London will be the worst off this half term, paying an average of 272 per cent more for their flights, followed by Nottingham (East Midlands) at 266 per cent and Leeds at 253 per cent.

At the other end of the scale, holidaymakers in Glasgow are less likely to be ripped off, but still face average price increases of 131 per cent more for half-term flights, followed by Newcastle and Edinburgh where flight costs are increased by 146 per cent.

The research was conducted by FairFX, which is a leading prepaid currency card, travel money and international payment services provider.

Darren Kilner, currency expert at the firm, said: 'There are some startling increases across the board.

'Families with school children often have no flexibility when it comes to choosing their holiday dates forcing them to pay significantly higher prices.'

Father Paul Cookson set up the family campaign group Holiday Price Index, after becoming angry and frustrated at the higher costs during school holidays.

The 42-year-old from Chillington, Devon, found a four night half-term holiday at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest with daughter Phoebe cost £300 more than the previous week.

In fact, prices for a four night stay in the February half-term at Center Parcs can be as much as £670 higher at £1,099 versus £429.

Mr Cookson posted a furious response on Facebook which went viral and led to the setting up of an e-petition which attracted more than 140,000 supporters and triggered a debate on the issue by MPs in Westminster.

'I understand that demand pushes up prices but as a parent, that doesn't stop it being a major frustration which affects families each and every school holiday,' he said.

'The fact is, we know what the problem is and while some may say that it's always been this way, that doesn't mean that we should do nothing and choose to accept it. If we do nothing, families will always struggle to have that quality time they need together purely based on cost.'

He added: 'I don't want to take my daughter out of school for a holiday just because it's cheaper.

Those flying from London to Grenoble in France (pictured) face a 609 per cent mark-up, with prices on February 13 standing at £326 per person, and at just £46 per person two weeks later on February 27

'She was allocated 13 weeks holiday a year with six weeks in the summer and so I do not want her to miss school just because of pricing.

'Families shouldn't be priced out of this market. My campaign snowballed and was pushed into Westminster because of the fantastic respect the public gave me and enormous support for what we were trying to do.

'This issue affects every family and won't go away until it is addressed collaboratively by the industry as a whole.'

The biggest flight price rises were to countries that are popular skiing destinations during the February half-term. Flights to Switzerland were 405 per cent higher, while the figure was 354 per cent more for Italy and 332 per cent for France.

In terms of the most expensive destinations to visit, the research found that flights to Verona will cost the most (591 per cent more) followed by Marseille (465 per cent more), Grenoble (423 per cent), Turin (417 per cent more) and Venice (415 per cent).