Ryanair criticises airline fuel surcharges

Airport Scene

[12th March 2008]

Low fares airline Ryanair has hit out at the fuel surcharges being levied by other airlines including Lufthansa and Aer Lingus.

German airline Lufthansa is increasing fuel surcharges on its short haul flights by 21% from 13 March. However fuel surcharges on its long haul flights remain unchanged at €77 per flight. Low cost airline Ryanair says it is the only airline in Europe to guarantee that it will never add on fuel surcharges.

"Passengers can expect another raft of unjustified fuel surcharge increases from Air France, Alitalia, British Airways and Iberia in the coming weeks. All of these airlines are hedged at well below current market rates for oil but all of them charge unjustified fuel levies and will use every possible opportunity to increase their surcharges,” comments Ryanair head of communications, Peter Sherrard.

Ryanair is also critical of the fuel surcharges levied by rival Irish airline Aer Lingus. Ryanair made a bid for Aer Lingus, but this was rejected by the European Commission in what the airline describes as “nakedly political prohibition”.

“While Ryanair continues to drive down fares for European passengers, Aer Lingus is increasing its fares and fuel surcharges. On routes within Europe, Aer Lingus now charges twice as much as Ryanair,” says Sherrard. Ryanair claims its average European short haul fare is €44, whilst Aer Lingus’ is €94.

“Ryanair’s bid for Aer Lingus guaranteed 10% fare reductions as well as the removal of Aer Lingus’ unjustified fuel surcharges, generating passenger savings of over €100m per annum,” Sherrard adds. “Aer Lingus can’t match Ryanair’s prices and it can’t match Ryanair’s punctuality either.”

Written by: Nick Purdom

 

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Ryanair Criticises Airline Fuel Surcharges