Spain travel warning as new law could send cost of flights soaring

BOOKING flights to Spain could soon cost a lot more, with new laws set to cause airfares to soar.

The news follows the publication of a report by consultancy firm Deloitte, who predict that carbon cutting measures will cause problems for the Spanish tourism industry.

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The report titled “Flying towards a sustainable future” suggests that as many as 11 million tourists could miss out on holidays to Spain in the future with climate change costs set to increase prices.

The costs are set to come as part of the European Commission’s fit for 55 plan, which refers to the EU’s target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030​. 

One of the measures suggested for the plan is a £6.85 ticket tax to be added to the cost of flights to and from Spain.

Airlines will also have to use five per cent sustainable aviation fuel, which will also push ticket prices up further.

It is not the first warning of higher flight prices this year either, with Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, saying this summer that surging oil prices will affect the cost of tickets.

He told the BBC: “Flights are getting more expensive because of the high price of oil and it has been clear to everybody that will be reflected in higher ticket prices.

“Flying will be more expensive for consumers, without doubt.

“Oil is the single biggest element of an airlines’ cost base. It is inevitable that ultimately the high oil prices will be passed through to consumers.”

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary also made similar warnings, saying the average cost of a ticket will rise by around £15,

He told the Financial Times: “It’s too cheap for what it is.

“I find it absurd every time that I fly to Stansted, the train journey into central London is more expensive than the air fare.

“It has been my doing [taking prices so low]. I made a lot of money doing it.

“I don’t believe air travel is sustainable over the medium term at an average fare of €40 (£34). It’s too cheap at that.”

The president of Spain’s Association of Airlines (ALA), Javier Gándara has said that there are more effective ways of cutting emissions that would not impact the Spanish economy.

He argued: “In the aviation sector we are committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“We share the goal with the EU and with our Government, but we believe that there are other solutions on the way to achieve that goal that are more effective and favourable for the economy and employment.”

Jet2 boss Steve Heapy has also warned that costs will rise again next summer.

Other charges are also increasing the cost of flights for passengers.

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