Main points
- Lufthansa Group has introduced new penalties for travel cancellations: from 150 euros on European flights to 1,500 euros on intercontinental flights.
- The changes also apply to Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines, and include the abolition of the free small suitcase on short and medium-haul flights.
Aviation giant shocked with new rules / Lufthansa
European airline giant Lufthansa Group has dramatically rewritten the rules of the game for passengers accustomed to “flexible” tickets. What was previously considered a nearly painless option can now cost a tidy sum.
What new rules has Lufthansa introduced?
On flights within Europe, canceling a trip will cost 150 euros instead of 70, and for long-distance destinations the prices generally look like they are from another planet, writes AuSnews.de.
The changes affected not only Lufthansa itself, but also all the companies in its orbit: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines. The new fares came into effect at the end of March and immediately caused a wave of discontent among travelers.
Intercontinental flights are the most talked about. If plans suddenly change, economy class passengers will lose 400 euros, premium – 700, business – 1,000, and for a first class ticket they will have to “say goodbye” to 1,500 euros. It is this segment that has been hit the hardest – the amount looks record even for premium travel.
At the same time, the company left a loophole: you can still change the date or route without additional fees. But if it comes to a complete cancellation, your wallet will feel it immediately. The Lufthansa Group itself explains the new rules simply: passengers have become more likely to postpone or cancel trips, and the business is forced to react.
Additionally, another bonus is disappearing on short and medium-sized flights – a free small suitcase in the cabin. Now even quick trips can cost more than before.
When will air traffic in Ukraine be restored?
Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba explained to Channel 24 that while martial law continues, there is no talk of opening airspace in Ukraine.
Despite this, the ministry is already preparing for the future resumption of air traffic, in particular, a special working group has been created with the participation of representatives of airports, airlines, and relevant bodies in order to develop practical solutions and a plan for the resumption of flights.
The work of this group will consist of assessing the state of the infrastructure, formulating security requirements, and coordinating between all participants in the process.
Aviation expert Bohdan Dolintse, in a conversation with Channel 24, explains that the creation of such a group, like all the others that have been created since 2022, does not mean that Ukraine's airspace will be open in the near future or even in the medium term.
Bohdan Dolintse,
aviation expert, member of the Public Council of the State Aviation Service
Therefore, we will be able to get the answer to the question of whether air transportation can be resumed under martial law after the work of this group is completed, if, of course, they are made public.
- Even earlier, the Ministry of Infrastructure created relevant groups and certain steps were still taken, but this did not lead to the complete or even partial opening of airspace.
- In addition, this instrument is only an advisory body, and therefore, in principle, cannot perform any functions other than conducting assessments and providing recommendations to ministries or ministers.
Airlines' problems due to the war in the Middle East
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Lufthansa to cancel 20,000 flights due to rising jet fuel prices due to Iran war. EU considers measures to combat jet fuel shortages, including importing alternative jet fuel from the US and changing airport rules.
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In general, Europe may face a shortage of aviation fuel due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. European countries will have to cancel flights starting in May.