Fuel surcharges after purchasing a ticket are illegal: European Commission statement

The European Union has reminded airlines of the ban on changing ticket prices after purchase. Find out in which cases passengers are entitled to a refund, why fuel surcharges have been deemed illegal, and what to do if a flight is canceled

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The European Commission has officially confirmed that airlines in EU countries are not permitted to charge passengers additional fuel surcharges after a ticket has already been purchased. Furthermore, carriers cannot refuse to issue refunds in the event of a flight cancellation, even if high aviation fuel prices are the cause. Euronews reports this, citing a clarification from the European Commission.

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Why did the European Commission issue a separate clarification?

The reason for the public statement was the situation involving the Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea. A few weeks ago, the airline introduced an additional fuel surcharge of up to 14 euros per ticket. Passengers were asked to pay it after purchasing the ticket, immediately before departure.

The Spanish consumer rights organization Facua appealed to regulators to verify the legality of such actions. Following this, the European Commission confirmed that such practices violate EU rules on transparency and the final cost of airline tickets.

The European Commission emphasized that the price a passenger sees at the time of booking and payment must be the final price. No additional fuel surcharges may be charged after the ticket is sold—even if the aviation fuel market is experiencing a crisis or a sharp price increase due to the geopolitical situation.

The EU explained that airlines must independently account for the risks of fuel price fluctuations. A European Commission spokesperson noted that there is a difference between a fuel shortage and simply high fuel prices. That is why carriers cannot pass their economic risks on to passengers after the purchase is complete.

Read also: Charter flights or scheduled flights — what’s the difference, and which tickets are better to choose?

What happens if an airline cancels a flight?

The European Commission also separately outlined the rules for flight cancellations. If a flight is canceled, the passenger has the right to:

● receive a full refund of the ticket price;

● choose an alternative route;

● in some cases, claim additional compensation of up to 600 euros.

However, high fuel prices alone are not considered an “extraordinary circumstance” that exempts the airline from liability to passengers.

The only exception may be an actual shortage of jet fuel at the airport or in the destination country. In such a case, the carrier may be exempt from paying additional compensation, but not from the obligation to refund the ticket price.

Which airlines have already cut flights due to the crisis?

Amid economic difficulties and rising fuel costs, some major European airlines have already reduced the number of flights. Among them are Lufthansa, British Airways, and KLM. The carriers explained this by citing the economic unfeasibility of certain routes. However, the EU emphasizes that even under such conditions, passengers’ rights remain in effect.

For Ukrainians planning trips across Europe or connecting flights with layovers, it is important to carefully review booking terms and keep proof of ticket payment. And to avoid issues with trip planning, on Visit Ukraine you can book plane, bus, or train tickets in advance through a single service and quickly compare available routes between countries.

We remind you! Kyiv is proposing a new diplomatic move—a mutual agreement with Russia to refrain from attacks on aviation infrastructure, mediated by the EU. This pragmatic decision benefits both sides. Read about when the skies will open and the first flights will take off.

Photo: bignai / Freepik

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