Air France is raising its flight fares again, increasing costs by up to €50 for long-haul flights. This price adjustment follows consecutive months of rising kerosene prices attributed to the ongoing Middle East crisis. The surge in fuel prices has prompted airlines to reassess their pricing strategies.
Context of Price Hike
In March, Air France implemented its first wave of increases, marking an average rise of €50 on some round-trip tickets. Kerosene prices have skyrocketed to approximately $1,900 per ton, up from $750 prior to the conflict. This dramatic shift has led to fuel accounting for 45% of airline operating costs, compared to only 25% previously.
Industry Impact
Pascal de Izaguirre, CEO of Corsair and president of the French National Federation of Aviation (FNAM), noted that the current price increases are insufficient to counterbalance the soaring costs. As a result, Air France is once again adjusting ticket prices this April, imposing an additional €50 surcharge on long-haul tickets in both economy and premium economy classes.
Recent Trends in Ticket Pricing
- The total increase over the past two months has now reached an average of €100 for long-haul flights.
- Short- and medium-haul flights will see an average rise of €10.
- Transavia, Air France’s low-cost subsidiary, is also increasing its ticket prices.
- Other airlines are following suit, introducing similar fuel surcharges.
Passenger Rights
It’s important to note that these fare increases will not apply retroactively. Passengers who have already booked their flights will not be subject to additional fees. Anaïs Escudié, founder of the airline passenger rights organization RetardVol, clarified that ticket prices are fixed at the time of purchase. Airlines cannot legally change the prices of already purchased tickets.
As the industry continues to navigate these challenges, passengers should stay informed about potential fare changes when booking future flights with Air France and other airlines.
