Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Flights conducted by Brussels Airlines are becoming more costly as the airline’s parent company Lufthansa will start involving an environmental surcharge to all its airlines in the group, it reported in a press release.
How Will Brussels Airlines Passengers Be Affected?
The tariff will apply to all flights sold and utilised by all airlines in the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa Airlines, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings) passing from the 27 EU countries as well as the UK, Norway and Switzerland. The amount ranges between €1 and €72, depending on the flight course and fare. “Specifically for Brussels Airlines, the surcharge varies between €1 and €36 depending on the length of your flight and the travel class,” Brussels Airlines representative Nico Cardone said.
What Amounts Are Charged for Brussels Airlines Flights?
In approach, someone flying economy from Brussels to Kinshasa, for instance, will have to spend up to €12 in surcharge, but that is not the issue for those flying from Kinshasa to Brussels, he clarified. The exact amount will be displayed on the airlines’ booking pages, in the price details. The surcharge will be charged on all tickets issued from 26 June 2024 (today) and spread to departures from 1 January 2025.
“The surcharge is intended to cover part of the steadily rising additional costs due to regulatory environmental requirements,” Lufthansa stated on its website. In May it came to light that Brussels Airlines is one of the 2o aviation companies to acquire a caution about “misleading green claims” from the European Commission and national consumer management.
Who Issued Warnings About Green Claims in Aviation?
In June 2023, more than 20 institutions submitted complaints regarding “greenwashing” assertions about CO2 emissions made by Lufthansa (parent company of Brussels Airlines), Air France-KLM, Ryanair and 17 others. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) assisted in the case, which was subsequently ensconced with the European Commission and the European Network of National Consumer Authorities (CPC).
Why Are Environmental Claims Under Scrutiny by Authorities?
Directed by the Belgian Directorate General for Economic Inspection and sponsored by Spanish, Norwegian and Dutch branches, the CPC determined several potentially misleading environmental claims on the airlines’ websites and apps. The probe finalised that each airline was giving a false appearance to passengers that they could spend a fee that would “offset” their carbon emissions. Clients were advised that this fee would be used for either detailed climate projects or for the benefit of “sustainable aviation fuel” (SAF).
“The airlines are yet to clarify whether such claims can be substantiated based on sound scientific evidence,” the Commission said in a press release.
Terms such as “green”, “sustainable” and “environmentally responsible” are shown in airlines’ explanations of carbon compensating mechanisms. However, the CPC reminds airlines that the aviation enterprise is highly polluting and therefore hurts the environment. “We treat every complaint we accept and investigate them thoroughly,” the Lufthansa group has reacted to the warning. The airline explained that it has placed ambitious climate protection goals such as achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and has promised to keep customers and stakeholders well notified about its climate commitments and progress in this regard.
