Airlines

Lufthansa Introduces Environmental Cost Surcharge on Its Flights

The Lufthansa Group has announced the introduction of an Environmental Cost Surcharge aimed at covering the increasing costs associated with regulatory environmental requirements.

This surcharge will come into effect for all flights sold and operated by the Lufthansa Group departing from EU countries, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland. The additional cost, which ranges from 1 euro to 72 euros depending on the flight route and fare, will be applied to tickets issued from June 26, 2024, for departures starting January 1, 2025.

Addressing Rising Environmental Costs

The surcharge is designed to offset the rising costs due to regulations such as the EU’s statutory blending quota of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), adjustments to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), and other environmental regulations like the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). These measures are part of a broader effort to meet stringent environmental standards and contribute to global climate protection.

Transparent Surcharge Implementation

Passengers will see the exact amount of the Environmental Cost Surcharge in the price details on Lufthansa Group Airlines’ booking pages. This transparency ensures travelers are fully informed about the additional costs contributing to sustainable aviation efforts.

Investment in Sustainable Technologies

The Lufthansa Group is committed to sustainability and invests billions annually in new technologies and innovations to make flying more eco-friendly. The company collaborates with partners to scale key technologies beyond its operations, supporting global climate and weather research.

Despite these efforts, the airline group acknowledges that it cannot bear the increasing regulatory costs alone. Therefore, part of these costs for 2025 will be covered by the new surcharge.

Ambitious Climate Protection Goals

The Lufthansa Group has set ambitious climate protection targets, aiming for a neutral CO₂ balance by 2050. By 2030, the group plans to halve its net CO₂ emissions compared to 2019 through a combination of reduction and compensation measures. Key strategies include accelerated fleet modernization, continuous optimization of flight operations, increased use of SAF, and sustainable travel and freight options for private and corporate customers.

Commitment to a Sustainable Future

The introduction of the Environmental Cost Surcharge reflects the Lufthansa Group’s commitment to a sustainable future. By addressing regulatory costs transparently and investing in green technologies, the airline group is taking significant steps towards achieving its environmental goals and supporting global efforts to combat climate change.

Airlines

Federal Court Imposes $100M Fine on Qantas for “Ghost Flights” Scandal

In a major ruling, the Federal Court has confirmed a hefty A$100 million penalty against Qantas for its involvement in the “ghost flights” scandal. As reported by FlightGlobal.

The court found that Qantas misled consumers by offering and selling tickets for flights that the airline had already decided to cancel. Adding to the controversy, Qantas failed to promptly notify ticket holders about these cancellations.

The penalty follows Qantas’ admission of violating the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The airline agreed with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) on the penalty amount, aiming to deter Qantas and other businesses from similar breaches in the future.

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The ACCC emphasized that this substantial fine sends a clear message: misleading customers will lead to serious consequences, regardless of a company’s size. In addition to the penalty, Qantas has committed to paying approximately A$20 million to affected passengers who unknowingly purchased tickets for canceled flights.

This compensation comes on top of any refunds or alternative flight arrangements already provided. ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb praised the penalty, underscoring the importance of robust compliance programs red energy qantas in large corporations like Qantas.

She pointed out that Qantas has since made changes to its operating and scheduling procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.