AANY BLOG ~ European Airport Taxes Tax My Patience

I love my European travel, but I’d like for someone to explain the European airport taxes and fuel charges to me.  In Europe, each city and each country impose their own fees on air carriers. No matter how good a deal you get on your ticket, it’s pretty much assured that you will have another $300 worth of taxes tacked on top of it…or more.  I recently found a February deal to Edinburgh for an amazing $286 round trip, but when I went to book it, the taxes and charges on that ticket totaled an astounding $613—more than DOUBLE the cost of the ticket! Ouch!

Now, there are even more penalties with the imposition of the European Union’s so-called “Green Tax” which went into effect on January 1st. The Green Tax is essentially a penalty for airline carbon emissions while flying to Europe. The tax requires airlines to buy a “permit to pollute,” and the costs go up even more if the carriers are found to exceed their emissions limit.  U.S. based airlines have already raised fares by $6 each way just on the principal, but there are estimates that passengers traveling to Europe will have to pay a minimum $17 more per ticket, per stop in Europe. The British are particularly hot over the issue because it almost doubles prices for their popular discount airlines.

This could be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

China is refusing to pay the new tax and, after having legal challenges rejected, there is increased speculation that U.S. will retaliate against European carriers. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood have already warned the EU that the U.S. will “be compelled to take appropriate action.” That action could mean taxes on European carriers from our end.  The drums are beating about an all-out tariff war.

Of course, it’s us travelers who end up losing in the deal. It’s going to be an interesting few months for European travel.

Janice McDonald is a writer, producer, and avid traveler.  She is the author of Historic Walking Guides: Bruges; The Insider’s Guide to Atlanta; The Insider’s Guide to Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand; and, most recently, Day Trips from Atlanta: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler.