News
Ryanair condemns BA's fuel surcharge hike
19 April 2006
The low cost airline Ryanair has criticised BA's decision of increasing its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights.
The £5 increase to £35 is the sixth increase by BA since surcharges of £2.50 were introduced in May 2004 and comes as a result of rising worldwide oil prices.
BA claims that it is nearly five times more expensive to fill a plane with fuel than it was at the end of 2001.
Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, has made the most of BA's announcement, saying that the Irish outfit enforces no surcharge at all.
'At £35 per sector, British Airways' fuel surcharge is greater than Ryanair's average fare,' he said.
'Isn't it time that BA stopped gouging passengers and started reducing other costs instead?'
Sceptics believe that the mounting fuel pressures will force Ryanair to recoup its losses by charging more for its tickets.
The new surcharge will come into effect on all long-haul tickets purchased after Friday, with short-haul surcharges set to remain at £8.
© Adfero Ltd
The £5 increase to £35 is the sixth increase by BA since surcharges of £2.50 were introduced in May 2004 and comes as a result of rising worldwide oil prices.
BA claims that it is nearly five times more expensive to fill a plane with fuel than it was at the end of 2001.
Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, has made the most of BA's announcement, saying that the Irish outfit enforces no surcharge at all.
'At £35 per sector, British Airways' fuel surcharge is greater than Ryanair's average fare,' he said.
'Isn't it time that BA stopped gouging passengers and started reducing other costs instead?'
Sceptics believe that the mounting fuel pressures will force Ryanair to recoup its losses by charging more for its tickets.
The new surcharge will come into effect on all long-haul tickets purchased after Friday, with short-haul surcharges set to remain at £8.
© Adfero Ltd
