Flights to get more expensive this summer after grounding of 171 Boeing planes

FLIGHT prices are expected to increase this summer due to the ongoing problems with Boeing.

Last week, passengers on a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft were left horrified after a section of the plane was ripped off mid-flight.

Following the Alaskan Airlines incident, the FAA grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircrafts.

With around 171 planes affected, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has warned this will have a knock-on affect on flight prices this summer.

He told the : "Capacity is heavily challenged [so] air fares, particularly peak summer, are going to be higher because there’s going to be less short-haul capacity around Europe."

Airlines such as Ryanair and TUI operate a different type of Boeing-737 Max planes, but these are not affected by the grounding, nor are any other European airlines affected.

The  European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said: "The 737-9 aircraft operating in Europe do not have this configuration and are therefore not grounded by the emergency airworthiness directive and can continue to operate normally.”  

The airlines affected the most by the grounding are United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

But Mr O'Leary also warned that the budget airline is to be "10 aircraft short" this summer due to a delay with their own Boeing aircraft deliveries.

He added: "We’re supposed to have 57 aircraft delivered to us by the end of April, and we think we’d be lucky to get 50 by the end of June.

";So we’re going to be left five, seven, maybe 10 aircraft short for the peak summer season this year."

It's not the first time the Ryanair boss has raised concerns of soaring flight prices, citing a lack of capacity.

Flight prices are also expected to rise following the ATC failure last year which resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled.

New rules banning 'drip-pricing' - when hidden fees aren't disclosed - as well as the new EU rules such as the EES and ETIAS visa-waiver are also expected to have a knock-on effect on plane ticket prices.

Currently, the cheapest tickets on the market are with Ryanair, who offer budget fares between the UK and European from £14.99.

However, this is an increase from their lowest ever fares, which once saw people travel for as little as £4.99 one way.

Thankfully, there are some ways you can find the cheapest flight out there when booking your next holiday.

Experts advise using Google Flights Explorer option, as well as booking directly with the airline.

Or you can risk an 'error fare', also know as a mistake fare which can be thousands of pound cheaper - but run the risk of being cancelled last minute.

Otherwise here is an great Spanish destination that has £14 flights.