The first details of packages for next year's rugby world cup in Australia were released last week. And, with the Australian domestic take-up of tickets running ahead of expectation, it is likely that British fans may have to book by early in the new year to be sure of tickets for the big matches. More than 10,000 British fans travelled to Australia last year to watch the British Lions rugby tour.
Match tickets, to be included in travel packages, are being sold only through a small number of selected tour operators - perhaps half a dozen in the UK.
Sportsworld, the first to be named, will offer tailor-made packages featuring specific matches, as well as longer tours taking in matches from the quarter-finals. A five-day trip to take in England's pool match with South Africa in Perth on October 18 costs from £2,695, while a trip covering matches from the quarter-finals on November 8 and 9 to the final on November 22 starts at £5,995.
Indigo Sports Tours is organising trips from 11-46 days, and Travelbag has also been appointed as an agent.
Other key dates for British supporters are Scotland v France on October 25, Ireland v Australia on November 1 and Wales v New Zealand on November 2.
· Contacts: Sportsworld, 01235 541186, Indigo Sports Tours, 08701 121212, Travelbag, 0870 8901458, or see rugbyworldcupweb.com.
More flight delays
Air travellers face further flight delays next summer despite the recruitment of more air traffic controllers. Richard Everitt, chief executive of the part-privatised national air traffic services (Nats), told a parliamentary committee this week that the service would still be understaffed next summer.
Scots court low-costs
Scotland may attract more low-cost flights after this week's announcement by first minister Jack McConnell of a £6m route development fund to help airports offer discounts on landing charges to airlines establishing new routes.
Ryanair, which carried almost two million passengers through Prestwick in a year, welcomed the move. It has based its growth on developing routes at airports with lower charges. Buzz last week announced a new route from Bournemouth to Prestwick. EasyJet flies to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
