‘The age of cheap flights is over’ but demand for tickets remains high

Flights to European destinations such as Barcelona and Athens are set to be around €50 more expensive this year because of tax rises and EU curbs on emissions.

The Dutch airport departure tax went up from €8 to €26 on January 1, while the European Union is ending concessions to the aviation industry, such as the tax-free status of kerosine, as it seeks to cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55% before 2030.

A study by ABN Amro bank found that the combined effect of the new rules would add €45 to the cost of a return flight to Nice, €47 to a trip to Barcelona and €56 to a round-trip to Athens.

‘The age of cheap flights is over,’ Stef Driessen, leisure and travel expert at ABN told FD.nl, adding that it made other forms of transport more viable. ‘It means there will be a level playing field when it comes to travelling by plane, train, car or bus.’

Frank Oostdam, director of the travel trade association ANVR, also said increasing the cost of flying would make travelling fairer and more sustainable. ‘I think all social costs, such as the cost to the environment, should be included in the price of a product. That goes for airline tickets as well.’

Tour operator TUI criticised the measures, arguing that the extra costs were not directly funding cleaner air travel, but said there was no indication that it was putting people off flying.

‘Holidays in Europe have already become pretty expensive, but at the same time we are still seeing huge demand for summer holidays in 2023,’ said director Arjen Kers. ‘People don’t want to give up their holidays.’