The “Fit for 55” package is a European Union initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, as part of the broader European Green Deal. It is a key step toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The changes will directly affect the aviation sector, including higher CO2 bills, taxation of aviation fuel and the need to develop and implement greener fuels and propulsion systems. For air passengers, especially those using low-cost airlines, the regulations could mean significant increases in ticket prices.
Impact on airfares
Under the new regulations, airlines will be required to purchase more expensive, sustainable fuels and incur higher CO2 costs. In addition, the phasing out of free emissions allowances for aviation means that carriers will have to pay more for their emissions, which inevitably leads to higher ticket prices. This will be particularly felt by low-cost airlines, which have so far attracted customers with low prices. The introduction of new regulations under the “Fit for 55” package could result in a significant increase in airline ticket prices. According to the analysis, depending on the airline and the length of routes, passengers can expect ticket prices to rise by as much as 8 to 34 percent.
A technological revolution in aviation?
The introduction of more stringent standards is also expected to accelerate the technological transformation in aviation. In the context of new technologies that are changing the face of aviation, hybrid and electric technologies are attracting particular attention. Hybrid technology, a combination of traditional engines and electric propulsion, is currently the most advanced and ready for rapid deployment. General aviation already uses electric aircraft, which are fully certified and safe. Nonetheless, the commercial introduction of such solutions in larger passenger aircraft requires more time. It is estimated that the first large hybrid or electric aircraft from leading manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing will be in the air around 2030. This process requires a lot of design changes, lengthy testing and certification, which means that it usually takes many years from design to implementation.
Future prospects
While the short-term impact of 'Fit for 55' on passengers is clear in the form of higher fares, the hope is that investments in sustainable technologies will ultimately pay dividends in the form of lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact. It is possible that in the long term, as these technologies become more widespread and cheaper to operate, air travel will regain its financial viability while reducing its carbon footprint.