Airlines drop surcharges

2009 got off to a positive start for air travellers, with the three main carriers announcing reductions of their fuel levies. Jetstar’s removal of domestic fuel surcharges adjustment came into effect on January 1, the same day Qantas reversed its last surcharge hike. Virgin Blue scrapped surcharges on domestic services and reduced fuel surcharges Pacific Blue trans-Tasman and Pacific Island flights – the second reduction in as many months. For Jetstar, the move came a week after reductions to long-haul international fuel surcharges from $98 to $68, short-haul Asian fuel surcharge from $55 to $35 and on trans-Tasman routes from $45 to $25. Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti announced the removal of the $18 per sector fuel surcharge that applied to all Qantas domestic and QantasLink bookings. “Based on the higher fuel costs associated with our international operations, international surcharges will remain,” he said, but added that these had been reduced twice since October and “will remain under review”. Announcing Virgin’s cuts, CEO Brett Godfrey said the airline had cut fuel surcharges by 20% to $19 for a one-way domestic flight and $35 for Pacific Blue and Polynesian Blue one-way international flights. He then confirmed the total removal of surcharged on Australian domestic routes and cuts on international flights.
 

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