Cheap flights don’t come without risks — even if they’re subsidised by the government

When you’re a child, taking a holiday is easy — you just tag along and have as much fun as possible.

When you grow older, you realise how much planning your parents needed to do to make it a memorable trip.

Some of this planning is hard work, but when you get it right, it pays off. But during the coronavirus pandemic — even with the help of a $1.2 billion scheme — not even hard work may be able to save you from your plans falling apart.

The consensus is that travellers will indeed benefit from cheaper airfares this autumn and winter under the government’s plan for around 800,000 half-price airfares — but they may lose out when they hit the ground.

With just 13 destinations selected by the government for subsidised airfares,…