Airline ticket prices from German airports are in some cases significantly higher this summer. What is the reason for the increase?
Airline travelers from German airports should be prepared for higher ticket prices this summer. According to an analysis by the German Center for Air Navigation (DLR), tickets have in some cases become significantly more expensive, and low-cost airlines are no exception. For example, a one-way ticket without luggage costs an average of between 67 euros (with Wizz Air) and 130 euros (Eurowings). A year ago, the highest average price was 110 euros, writes the German public media ARD.
Ryanair's prices have risen significantly
Among the four most popular low-cost airlines offering direct flights to and from Germany, Ryanair was the cheapest carrier last year. In just one year, however, the average ticket price of the Irish airline has risen from 66 to around 80 euros. Lufthansa's subsidiary, Eurowings, charges an average of 130 euros instead of 110 euros for a one-way flight and remains the most expensive of the four carriers. EasyJet is in the middle of this ranking (a slight increase from 84 to 86 euros), while WizzAir, which specializes in flights to Eastern Europe, has reduced its average price from 94 to 67 euros and now offers the lowest prices overall on the German market, followed by Ryanair and easyJet.
The most expensive are tickets purchased shortly before the flight - on average between 119 euros (Wizz Air) and 169 euros (Eurowings). The same tickets purchased at least three months before the trip are significantly cheaper - between 46 euros with Ryanair and 90 euros with Eurowings, ARD cites DLR data.
Low-cost airlines hold about 30% of the civil aviation market in Europe and the world. For flights from Germany, their market share is around 21% for international flights and 15% for domestic flights.
Among them, Eurowings dominates with around 39% of scheduled flights. Together with Ryanair, Wizz Air and easyJet, these four airlines are responsible for nearly 90% of the entire low-cost market in Germany, writes ARD, citing DLR data. The leaders in the European market in the low-cost sector are Ryanair and easyJet.
Book early and compare prices
Among the reasons for the increase in ticket prices are high government fees and taxes, as well as the deepening shortage of flights. A recent analysis by ADAC showed that taxes and fees lead to an increase in ticket prices, especially at the airports in Frankfurt am Main, Munich and Düsseldorf. Passengers from Frankfurt am Main pay the highest government fees - around 74 euros for a domestic flight, compared to an average of 52 euros for Germany.
For international flights, Germany also charges prices above the European average. For example, for a flight from Frankfurt am Main, taxes and fees amount to around 59 euros. In Amsterdam alone, the deductions are even higher - nearly 63 euros, according to ADAC.
In this regard, ADAC experts offer tips on how to save money when traveling by plane: book tickets in advance, check alternative flights from other nearby airports, and use price comparison portals. In some cases, it is also worth flying from nearby airports abroad, as prices may differ significantly.