Lufthansa Adds Environmental Cost to Ticket Prices

Summary:
Lufthansa has announced that it will introduce an "environmental cost surcharge" to help comply with European clean-air regulations. This surcharge is aimed at covering costs associated with cleaner-burning jet fuel and carbon-offset schemes. Ticket prices are expected to rise by up to €72 ($77) for flights departing from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland starting January 1, 2025. The airline stated that while it invests billions annually in new technologies for sustainable flying, it cannot bear the increasing costs of regulatory compliance alone. This move aligns with broader industry trends, as noted by International Air Transport Association head Willie Walsh, who emphasized that achieving net-zero emissions will inevitably make flying more expensive for consumers.