ThePrice of Affordable Airline Journeys Shifts Upward, with Reductions in Offerings
Across Europe, the accessibility of low-cost flights has returned to 2019 levels, but Germans are facing a distinct challenge: Fewer connections are available and ticket prices have surged considerably compared to pre-pandemic times.
Germany's travelers have to shell out more money for direct flights when planning their getaways. Conducting a price analysis of 'low-cost carriers' by the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the average price ranges from 61 euros (Wizz) to 115 euros (Eurowings) for a one-way flight without checked baggage. In contrast, a year ago, the price range for the leading budget airlines was between 58 to 102 euros. Flights by more established airlines like Lufthansa were not included in the analysis.
The DLR analyzed prices for routes covering distances of 500 to 2000 kilometers, with September 17 serving as the reference date. Researchers collected prices for flights with varying booking lead times. Generally, flight tickets purchased at short notice tend to be quite expensive compared to those booked well in advance. For instance, Eurowings, the German market leader, charges around 73 euros for a flight scheduled three months ahead and an average of 152.40 euros for flights with just one day's notice.
The DLR found that ticket prices tend to decrease with the length of the booking lead time, except during peak holiday seasons and vacation periods. During these times, capacities are often fully booked, leading to inflated prices.
Ryanair's soaring ticket prices
The most expensive single ticket in the study was offered by Ryanair, which charged 390 euros for a flight from Cologne to Porto seven days before the departure date. Ryanair, a frequent critic of the high taxes and fees associated with departing from German airports, is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Europe but has significantly reduced its offerings in Germany. The company has announced further flight cancellations regardless of its expansion in other parts of Europe.
According to the DLR, 4,260 budget flights were operated by 14 airlines on 760 routes during the examined July week. This represents a decline of more than 30% compared to the pre-pandemic year 2019. Overall, low-cost flights have surpassed pre-crisis levels by 2.0% with 68,000 flight departures and 10,600 routes across Europe within a week. Ryanair's schedule now includes 30% more flights compared to 2019, with 24,000 departures per week. Easyjet and Wizz Air follow closely.
The most popular direct destinations from German airports remain Spain and Italy. While Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Cologne-Bonn offer the largest share of flights, domestic flights have "significantly lost importance," as found in the DLR investigation. The reasons include a decrease in demand, as more meetings are now conducted online, along with economic factors and reduced offers, explained study leader Peter Berster.
Evolving business models of airlines
The low-cost offers of airlines are increasingly becoming varied, making it challenging to delineate clear distinguishing boundaries, according to the DLR. Common traits of low-cost carriers include affordability, wide availability, and internet-based direct distribution. These low-cost airlines mainly focus on point-to-point traffic, often using a single aircraft model and multiple airports as bases.
Network airlines, in contrast, provide a comprehensive network of short, medium, and long-haul flights via central hubs. Tourist airlines work closely with tour operators. However, as business models evolve, these once clear-cut distinctions are now blurring.
The DLR publishes its "Low-Cost Monitor," analyzing the budget flight market in Germany twice a year. In the latest analysis, researchers determined not only the net flight prices but also the final prices borne by customers, which often turn out to be significantly higher due to additional fees and costs.
The average price for a one-way low-cost flight within Germany's leading budget airlines, such as Wizz and Eurowings, has increased significantly since pre-pandemic times, now ranging from 61 to 115 euros. Germans planning trips are now required to pay more for direct flights compared to the 58 to 102 euros range seen a year ago.
