Lufthansa has announced the introduction of a mandatory environmental fee for all flights starting from January 1, 2025. This new surcharge aims to cover part of the increasing costs due to regulatory environmental requirements. Passengers flying from Munich Airport, a major hub for Lufthansa, will be among those affected by this price hike.
The environmental surcharge will be applicable to all tickets issued from June 26, 2024, and will affect flights operated by the Lufthansa Group, including airlines such as Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, Eurowings, Lufthansa Cityline, and Swiss. Depending on the flight route and fare, the surcharge will range from 1 to 72 euros.
Lufthansa's decision is driven by the need to meet the European Union's regulatory requirements, which include a blending quota for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Starting in 2025, 2% of aviation fuel must be SAF, increasing to 6% by 2030, 20% by 2035, and 70% by 2050. However, the current production of SAF is minimal, accounting for only 0.5% of global aviation fuel demand in 2023. This limited availability keeps SAF prices significantly higher than traditional fossil kerosene.
The environmental surcharge will be due on flights departing from any of the 27 EU member states, as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland. This means that passengers flying from locations such as Munich to destinations like Alicante will need to pay the additional fee starting from January 1, 2025.
Lufthansa has previously offered an optional environmental ticket at a higher price, but the new surcharge is mandatory for all passengers. The airline has set ambitious goals to achieve climate-neutral flying by 2050 and aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by half by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.
The introduction of this surcharge has sparked discussions about the cost burden on passengers and the overall impact on ticket prices. Consumer associations have previously accused airlines of 'greenwashing' and deceptive commercial practices related to optional environmental fees. Lufthansa is currently in discussions with the European Commission regarding these concerns.
- Lufthansa's environmental surcharge is part of a broader effort to comply with the European Union's stringent environmental regulations. The airline has emphasized that it cannot bear the increasing costs of these regulations alone and thus needs to pass some of the burden onto passengers.
- The production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is still in its early stages, and its high cost remains a significant challenge. Lufthansa has called on the European Union to adopt measures similar to those in the United States, where SAF production benefits from incentives.
- In addition to the mandatory surcharge, Lufthansa and other airlines have offered optional fees to offset carbon emissions through climate protection projects. However, these practices have faced criticism and legal challenges from consumer groups, who accuse airlines of misleading marketing tactics.
- Lufthansa's goal to achieve climate-neutral flying by 2050 is part of a long-term strategy to reduce its environmental impact. The airline plans to increase the use of SAF and other sustainable practices to meet its emission reduction targets.
