Europe’s leading airline Lufthansa announced on Tuesday that it will increase the price of all European flights to cover part of the costs associated with the European Commission’s environmental requirements.
The surcharge will apply to all flights scheduled “from 1 January 2025” departing from the 27 countries of the European Union (EU), as well as the UK, Norway and Switzerland.
1 – 72 additional euros
Its amount will vary from 1 to 72 euros “depending on the route and flight price”, he added. “The airline group alone will not be able to cover the increased additional costs arising from regulatory requirements in the coming years,” Lufthansa CEO said.
The company cites EU-imposed mandatory quotas aimed at introducing more sustainable fuels (sustainable aviation fuel, SAF) into aircraft tanks to gradually replace kerosene.
70% sustainable fuel in 2050
The share of SAF should reach 2% from 2025, 6% in 2030, and then 20% from 2035. and finally 70% in 2050.
However, SAF production is still embryonic: in 2023, it corresponds to 0.5% of global aviation fuel demand. Because of this low availability, they still cost three to five times more than fossil fuel, according to Lufthansa.
This environmental supplement is an optional extra this time offered to travelers by Lufthansa and other airlines to offset carbon emissions through climate protection projects.