Airports Council International (ACI) Europe reports that the cost of air travel had risen. The group attribute this to a continued resurgence in travel combined with a squeeze on aircraft numbers has pushed up the cost of flying this year.
ACI noted that airlines’ ticket prices have risen much faster than European airport charges, which increased just 7% over the same period.
Air fares were widely expected to rise this summer as many airlines are flying fewer aircraft than before the pandemic, while at the same time, demand for travel is growing across Europe, adding to the pressure.
Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair, predicted that air fares would increase across Europe this summer as airlines responded to these factors and to volatile fuel prices.
However, Ryanair has increased the number of aircraft in its fleet this year and, in 2022, while Aer Lingus owner, International Airlines Group (IAG), expected to operate at 98% of its 2019 capacity in 2023.
Last month IAG chief executive Luis Gallego said bookings across the group were strong and particularly good for leisure travel.
Around the same time, Air France-KLM and German carrier Lufthansa reported that forward bookings were robust.
