QANTAS raises fuel surcharge

[colinw]

The Sydney Morning Herald: Qantas raises fuel surcharge

Qantas faces the ire of travellers after jacking up its fuel surcharges on international flights by as much as 52 per cent, blaming a rise in fuel prices.

Passengers will be slugged $145 for one-way flights to Europe and Britain, up from $95, while those jetting to North and South America and South Africa will have to fork out $115, up from $85.

Qantas's chief executive, Alan Joyce, said fuel prices had increased to their highest level since reaching all-time highs in 2008.
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"Based on industry forecasts, and our own assessment, prices will, at the very least, remain at their current higher levels," he said in a statement today.

The surcharges for one-way flights to destinations in Asia and the Pacific, including Hawaii, will increase from $55 to $75.

Shares in Qantas recorded their biggest one-day jump in three weeks today, rising 7 cents, or 3 per cent, to $2.41, after the airline announced the surcharge increase.

The increase in surcharges applies to tickets issued from February 19.

[Gazza]

Nature of oil nearing peak I guess.

Though to be fair if you cant absorb an extra $50 on what is often a $2000 fare, you probably shouldn't be flying.

[ButFli]

I have no problem with airlines increasing ticket prices because of increased fuel costs. Any other business would increase the cost of its goods and services if the costs of delivering those goods and services increased. My problem is that airlines try and disguise it as a "surcharge". It's their way of making us hate on the oil barons instead of them.

What interests me is that the fuel surcharge will vary significantly for the same seat on the same flight depending on where the ticket is purchased. If it is truly just a surcharge to allow Qantas (and other airlines) to pass on their increased costs to the passenger, why does it matter where they bought the ticket?

I suspect it was originally a misguided attempt to increase ticket prices without having to pay travel agents more in commission.

[#Metro]

Maybe the fuel prices are different at different airports.
On the other hand, maybe they are just charging more because they know people who live in certain places have higher incomes.

[colinw]

Even with these fuel surcharges, the fact is that air travel is more affordable now than even.  If you are prepared to put up with economy seating it is possible to get to London & back for under $2000, and I can't remember the last time I paid more than $100 for a one way journey to Sydney on QANTAS.

When I was a kid in the 1970s, a Sydney return on TAA or Ansett was hundreds of dollars.

Nothing to complain about, except that while air travel is so darn cheap we won't get a decent intercity rail system in this country.  My view is at odds with most people, but as memories those childhood trips to Sydney on a TAA 727 or DC-9 don't come even remotely close to Toowoomba to Sydney via Wallangarra on the Sydney Mail, or South Brisbane to Sydney on the Brisbane Limited.  Oakey to Sydney on a Fokker Friendship, with a stop at Armidale was kind of fun 'though - particularly because they used to invite kids into the cockpit in those days.