The Government applies inflation due to the 2022 energy crisis to confirm the increase in air rates by 4.09% starting in March

A few weeks ago, the Minister of Transport, Óscar Puente, acknowledged that the rise in airfares was unavoidable and, as of March 1, the Council of Ministers has confirmed the approved AENA proposal for a 4.09% increase. This increase is based on taking into account the inflation rate of 3.5% in 2022, which was impacted by the energy price crisis. AENA and the Government have downplayed the impact on plane ticket prices, stating that the increase only amounts to an additional 40 cents per passenger. The Ministry also noted that the rates are still lower than they were in 2015 and that the increase is significantly lower compared to other European airports, such as a 12% increase in Amsterdam or a 9.5% increase in Frankfurt.

The Council of Ministers approved an increase in airport taxes charged by AENA to airlines for the use of its facilities. The increase is expected to come into effect on March 1, with rates being 4.09% higher than the current ones. This figure takes into account the 3.5% inflation rate in 2022 and other adjustments, taking into consideration the effect of inflation during the energy crisis in that year.

However, the Ministry of Transport emphasized that discounts ranging from 15% to 70% are applied at airports in the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla. Airlines also benefit from a government-approved aid package of 45 million euros to support the sector in the wake of the pandemic. Additionally, AENA is working on designing incentives for companies that promote certain routes, particularly those connecting international destinations with regional airports.

The proposed 4.09% increase was deemed excessive by the airlines, who suggested freezing the rates in 2024 or increasing them by a maximum of 1.5%.

Cheapest Spanish airports

The Ministry of Transport emphasized that even with a 4.09% increase, “average rates will continue to be lower than they were in 2015,” and AENA’s rates are “the most competitive in Europe,” especially compared to larger Spanish airports. According to the government, layover prices at Barajas or El Prat in Madrid or Barcelona are “up to 60% lower than the average of its competitors” relative to London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam Schipol.

The 4.09% increase in Spain was also compared to airport taxes in other European airports. By 2024, Amsterdam Schipol has seen a 12% increase, and Frankfurt’s rates have increased by 9.5%. In London Heathrow, the increase was 37.4% in 2022 and is projected to be 4.5% in 2023.