Agents accuse airlines of ‘shameless misuse’ of fuel surcharges
A leading travel agency group has written to the international airline body IATA to ask why carriers are continuing to add fuel surcharges to ticket prices when the cost of fuel has plunged.
The United Federation of Travel Agents Associations pointed out that the cost of a barrel of oil has fallen from over $110 last year to $40, yet most airlines are continue to charge an additional $25 to $450 per ticket for fuel.
In an open letter to IATA, it claimed that IATA’s own sources had estimated airlines’ fuel bills would fall this year by $4 billion.
UFTAA pointed out that that the special YQ code on airline tickets was introduced to allow airlines to surcharge when there was a sudden increase in oil prices.
"Generally the cost for the fuel should as soon as convenient be included in the general operation cost e.g. air fare ( no air-plane can fly without fuel )," it wrote. "However, airlines continue totally shameless to misuse this ticketing loophole and thus manipulating the transparency of the ticket price.
"The ‘tax box’ on the tickets has increasingly become a vehicle for various extra charges not included in the basic air fare either to distort the price transparency or perhaps to serve as a loophole for tax evasion?" it added.
"How long will this charade be tolerated by the consumers?"
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026