EU opens investigation into increasing airfares

The European Union has opened an investigation into a recent surge in airfares across Europe, following airlines' decision to hike prices by up to 30 percent during the summer, leading to sizable profits.

According to data released by the EU last month, average airfares across Europe this summer were 20 to 30 percent higher than in 2019.

In an interview with the Financial Times newspaper, EU transport commissioner Adina Valean said officials were "looking into detail … of what is exactly going on in the market and why".