Airfares rise significantly as low-cost carriers lead price hikes

An analysis by aviation data firm Cirium for Handelsblatt reveals significant increases in airline ticket prices, with low-cost carriers leading the surge. The data indicates that airlines are testing consumer price elasticity, raising fares to offset higher aircraft fuel costs.

In Europe, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air have seen the most substantial increases in economy class fares. Comparing May 2025 to May 2024, prices for these carriers rose by 39.20%, and some have more than doubled since the beginning of 2024.

The study categorized data into three main groups: European groups (Lufthansa, IAG, and Air France-KLM), low-cost carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet, and Wizz Air), and major American airlines (United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines).