Plane tickets in Spain to shoot up in March
Aena has been given the green light to increase its charges by 4.09% throughout Spain
Air travel is set to become even more expensive next month as Spain’s main airport management company Aena has been given the go-ahead to increase its charges by 4.09%. This means that airlines will have to pay extra for using its runways, terminals, parking and baggage handling services, a price which carriers are certain to tack on to the price of plane tickets.
According to an Aena statement, the Maximum Revenue per Adjusted Passenger (IMAAJ), which will be applied to 2024 fares, will be 10.35 euros per passenger, which represents an average increase of 4.09% compared to 2023.
In theory, the rates for airlines are supposed to be frozen until 2026 given the financial climate, but the law does allow Aena to pass on any extraordinary costs that are out of their control.
Aena is 51% owned by the Spanish government and a spokesperson said this week that the decision to hike up the prices is in response to rising jet fuel costs in particular and inflation in general.
The move has been met with staunch opposition from low-cost airlines like Ryanair but despite the increase, Aena president Maurici Lucena is adamant that Spanish airports will still be charging far less than other European rivals.
Last year, London’s Heathrow Airport implemented a 4.5% hike in tariffs, while Amsterdam’s Schiphol raised its rates by 12% and is expected to increase them even further in 2024. Similarly, Frankfurt Airport is planning a 9.5% increase in charges this year.
On the other hand, Aena has agreed to implement tariff reductions ranging from 15% to 70% at select airports, specifically those located in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, in order to offset the impact of the recently announced price hike. The extent of the reduction will depend on the specific flight routes.
Image: Freepik
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