Fuel surcharges after purchasing airline tickets remain prohibited, the EU says
Airlines are allowed no fuel surcharge add after a plane ticket has been purchased, the European Union emphasized on Friday, despite the sharp increase in kerosene prices due to the war in the Middle East.
Adding a fuel surcharge “cannot be justified.” If airlines adjust the price of a ticket after the reservation, they expose themselves to European legislation unfair competitionsaid Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokesperson for the European Commission.
In France, the Spanish airline Volotea had defended the fuel surcharge it charges after purchasing the ticket. Its legality is currently being investigated by the authorities.
In a document published on Friday on the energy crisis affecting the aviation sector, Brussels emphasizes that “any retroactive change” in the price of an airline ticket “ruled out” is.
“Airlines are allowed in their general terms and conditions no clauses that allow them to increase the ticket price above the amount announced at the time of purchase, on the grounds that the fuel has turned out to be more expensive than expected,” the Commission emphasizes.
The EU mentions one exception for package holidaysfor example through travel agencies. A price increase may be possible depending on fuel costs, if this is provided for in the contract.
In that case, a price increase of up to 8% of the package price does not require the traveler’s consent. If the increase is higher than 8%, the traveler can accept the increase or the contract cancel free of charge.
The war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which 20% of Europe’s jet fuel passed before the conflict — have led to a sharp increase in aviation fuel prices and concerns about possible shortages this summer. Since then, several airlines, mainly low-cost carriers, have canceled flights.
