Headlines are dominated by the cost of living crisis following a new prediction that consumers will be paying £4,200 per year for their household energy from early 2023.

Meanwhile, Heathrow’s largest shareholder is considering selling its stake in the airport and Ukraine’s president is calling for a ban on all Russian tourists as Wizz Air plans to restore flights to the Russian capital.

Here are the headlines that the travel industry woke up to on Wednesday (10 August).

Flight prices soar 30% as airlines cash in on travel chaos

Airline tickets have increased by nearly one-third for UK consumers booking flights this summer. Research showed that the cost of airfares on 36 popular routes from the UK were around 30% higher in the first week of August than they were before the pandemic. (Daily Telegraph)

Energy bills to hit £4,200 in January in new forecast

Household energy bills are set to go up even higher than previously expected from January 2023, according to a new prediction from analysts. Consumers could face bills of £4,200 per year as the cost of living crisis deepens. (Various)

Johnson ‘absolutely certain’ next PM will offer more help on paying bills

Outgoing prime minister Boris Johnson has waded into the Conservative leadership row over energy costs after saying he is “absolutely certain” his successor will offer further help to households. Current frontrunner Liz Truss has so far refused to promise more support to consumers. (The Guardian)

Heathrow owner considers selling stake in airport

Heathrow’s largest investor Ferrovial is considering selling all or part of its shareholding in the airport. The Spanish infrastructure company is assessing options for its current 25% stake in Heathrow with potential interest from private equity firms and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. (Reuters)

Ukraine urges West to ban Russian tourists

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged Western countries to impose a blanket travel ban on Russian tourists as the war continues. Zelenskiy’s call for a one-year travel ban for all Russians was met with anger by authorities in Moscow. (Reuters)

Wizz Air to resume flights to Moscow through Abu Dhabi venture

Budget carrier Wizz Air is planning to restart flights to Moscow through its Abu Dhabi joint venture. The flights are set to resume in October but the airline has been warned it risks “reputational damage” by returning to Russia while the war in Ukraine still rages. (Financial Times)