Why your flights are going to cost more this year due to new EU rules

FLIGHTS are set to become more expensive for passengers due to new rules being put in place by the European Union.

The changes are being implemented to cut carbon emissions in a bid to tackle climate change.

The EU is hoping to increase levies for "carbon-intensive industries" forcing them to pay extra for their pollution.

The claim that analysts predict a rise in ticket prices of as much as €10 (£8.84) per person per return flight.

The threat of increased fares comes as EU lawmakers gave an initial green-light to the changes to their carbon pricing regulations.

Airports Council International (ACI Europe) director Olivier Jankovec, told an industry conference the changes would “result in increasing costs for airlines, increasing fares and lower demand.” 

While analysts are expecting an immediate rise in airfares, over the longer term, flying could become even pricier.

Airlines for Europe, the industry lobby group, told the FT: “sustainability legislation such as the EU’s . . . could see flying via EU hubs like Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt becoming about 23-29 per cent more expensive in 2035”.

Other industry heads have also warned about steep rises in holiday costs.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary explained that fares will be high due to "robust demand" for flights for both Easter and summer 2023.

The need for flights is coming from both American and Asian tourists who are planning trips to Europe following the scrapping of Covid restrictions.

O'Leary said he is expecting the lowest fares to "sell out early" and that people should book sooner rather than later.

It's not the first time O'Leary has warned that passengers will have to pay more for their travel this year.

Last month, he warned that holidaymakers won't find fares as low as £9.99 for the next year or two because of high oil prices.

He said: "I don’t think you’ll see £9.99 flights for a long time."

Flight prices aren't the only reason trips to Europe are going to get more expensive this year.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa system means Brits will have to pay extra to visit EU countries.

British tourists aged 18-70 will need to have an ETIAS if travelling for less than 90 days during an 180 day period.

An ETIAS is required if travelling to any European country by plane, boat or car, and is also needed even if only transiting through Europe.

It will cost €7 (£6.19), and any travellers between 18 and 70 years old will have to have one.

They must be applied for before travelling and can be completed online, with Brits needing to complete it at least 96 hours before departure.

A new website for the ETIAS applications will be launched in November 2023, but it is not yet live.

Meanwhile, this tiny UK airport could launch new flights to Europe soon.

And these are some of the cheapest city breaks in Europe.