These figures are, of course, only looking at American airlines, and are averages, but offer an insight into how our ticket fares are spent beyond the compulsory fees.
The profit
As for the final profit? According to the International Air Transport Association, airlines are taking home an average of $4.36 (£3.60) in Europe per passenger, and $9.53 (£7.87) in the US. Worldwide, the average profit margin amounts to just $2.25 (£1.86) per passenger.
This final amount does not take into account ancillary profits. Additional costs, from seat fares to on-board sandwiches, comprise a large wedge of the money made by airlines. In May, it was reported that Ryanair earns around £20 from the typical passenger, largely through smaller purchases like seat reservations and snacks.
It’s worth noting that the final price of a ticket can change, too. If the “unavoidable charges” are reduced by the government at any point after purchase, there may be an option to claim a refund (although this, again, varies between operators).
Unfortunately, the reverse also applies: you “may be required” to meet the new amount if there’s a substantial increase, too. Regardless, in the UK, the additional costs should always be advertised as part of the ticket price – so there shouldn’t be any surprises.
