According to Dutch media reports, Dutch bank ABN Amro said that the new environmental protection measures will make flying within the EU much more expensive. For example, the price of air tickets to Barcelona, Rome or Athens will increase by 50-60 euros.
Since 2005, airlines have had to hold emission rights to emit CO2, and so far the vast majority of emissions allowances have been free, but this will be phased out from 2024 and by 2027 airlines will have to To pay for all emission quotas, the EU also reduces the number of emission quotas by 4.4% every year. In the future, airlines will have to spend money to purchase emission quotas. This cost will be passed on to passengers without exception, so air travel will become more expensive. .
According to ABN Amro, only free emission allowances expire. The change will make flights to Barcelona and Rome more expensive over the next few years by around €24, flights to Lisbon will be almost €30 more expensive and flights to Athens will be With an increase of 34 euros, plus the increased flight tax, the price will rise by 50 to 60 euros.
According to the previous agreement, the flight consumption tax has been increased from January 1 this year, from the original 7.95 euros to 26.43 euros. The purpose is to encourage people to travel by car, public transportation and trains.
There are other factors that will affect ticket prices
Starting in 2026, actual prices may be higher. ABN Amro economist Stef Driessen told the media, “Our calculations are based on the current price of emission allowances, but they will increase significantly in the next few years. It is difficult to predict how much, it depends on supply and demand.”
In addition, other measures taken in the aviation field may also affect prices. For example, the Dutch government plans to reduce the number of flights at Schiphol Airport this year, which will also cause air ticket prices to rise.
Driessen said the implementation of European emissions measures, which only apply to flights between European airports, would make flights to countries outside the EU more popular. In addition, cheap air tickets in Europe may also come to an end. The previous air tickets of a few euros and more than ten euros will no longer exist.
Low-cost carriers will keep some of their special fares
According to previous media reports, William Vet, spokesman for the low-cost airline EasyJet, said, “You don’t need to worry too much, there will still be cheap air tickets in Europe.” The airline will continue to rely on selling low-cost air tickets to meet the travel needs of more passengers, and Generate revenue by separating ticket prices from additional charges, such as food and beverage service, reserved seating and baggage fees.
However, some media revealed that EasyJet’s fares are expected to increase by 8%. Currently, other airlines are also cautious in pricing air tickets.
“On some routes, prices simply cannot be increased because there are so many competitors,” a KLM spokesman said.
Michael O’ Leary, CEO of another low-cost airline, Ryanair, previously said in an interview with the media that due to the rise in international fuel prices caused by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, low-cost air tickets of 9.9 euros and below are destined to disappear.
He mentioned, “Last year our average ticket price was 40 euros, and we will increase it to 50 euros in the future.” However, he also expressed optimism that he would continue to provide special fares of 19.9 euros, 24.99 euros and 29.99 euros through various methods. , expected to provide millions of seats.
