Brussels, 26 June 2024—Starting today, Passengers flying with Brussels Airlines and other carriers within the Lufthansa Group will face higher ticket prices.
The group announced an environmental surcharge to be applied across its airlines as part of an initiative to address rising regulatory environmental costs.
The surcharge, which varies between €1 and €72, will be imposed on all flights sold and operated by Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. This new charge affects flights departing from the 27 EU countries, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland.
Brussels Airlines spokesperson Nico Cardone elaborated on the specifics for the airline, stating, “Specifically for Brussels Airlines, the surcharge varies between €1 and €36 depending on the length of your flight and the travel class.”
For instance, an economy class passenger flying from Brussels to Kinshasa will incur up to €12 in surcharge, while flights originating from Kinshasa to Brussels will not be subjected to this fee.
The environmental surcharge will be applied to all tickets issued from today, with the surcharge taking effect on departures from 1 January 2025. The exact surcharge amount will be displayed in the price details on the airlines’ booking pages, ensuring transparency for customers.
The Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings, introduced this surcharge as a response to the increasing financial burden imposed by environmental regulations.
“The surcharge is intended to cover part of the steadily rising additional costs due to regulatory environmental requirements,” Lufthansa stated on its website.
Impact on Travelers
Travelers planning their trips from the EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland will need to account for this additional cost in their budgets.
For frequent flyers and business travelers, these surcharges could accumulate, influencing travel planning and potentially prompting a shift towards more environmentally-friendly travel options.
While the surcharge aims to address environmental costs, it has sparked discussions among passengers and environmental groups. Some applaud the move as a necessary step towards sustainable aviation, while others view it as an added financial burden on travelers.
A Broader Industry Trend
The Lufthansa Group’s decision mirrors a broader trend within the aviation industry, where airlines are increasingly factoring in the environmental impact of their operations.
With regulatory bodies worldwide implementing stricter environmental standards, airlines are under pressure to find ways to offset these costs.
The introduction of such surcharges is one of the strategies employed to comply with these regulations while continuing to offer flight services.
As the aviation sector grapples with the challenge of reducing its carbon footprint, measures like the environmental surcharge represent a shift towards more responsible and sustainable practices. However, the effectiveness and fairness of such charges remain topics of debate.
Looking Ahead
For passengers of Brussels Airlines and other Lufthansa Group airlines, the environmental surcharge is a new factor to consider when booking flights.
With the surcharge’s implementation set for January 2025, travelers have some time to adjust their travel plans accordingly.
As the industry continues to evolve in response to environmental challenges, passengers can expect to see more initiatives aimed at balancing the need for air travel with the imperative of environmental stewardship.
Whether these changes will lead to broader acceptance of sustainable practices or further discussions on the best approach to address aviation’s environmental impact remains to be seen.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
