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Airlines set to increase fares under new emission rules

Air
Gary Noakes
16 February 2023

Low-cost airline fares look set to increase under newly strengthened EU rules on emissions.

Airlines are being made to pay more for their pollution (Credit: iStock)

The EU wants airlines to pay for their pollutants, with ticket prices set to rise up to €10 per return flight, according to the Financial Times. It said the EU had approved increases in carbon pricing, which makes airlines buy allowances to offset their pollution under the emissions trading scheme.

The FT said current rules, which allow airlines to obtain a significant proportion of permits for free, will be phased out by 2026. The total number of permits will also be reduced, driving up costs.

Ryanair last year spent €51 million on credits and said it would be unable to absorb the cost in the medium to long-term.