Air France-KLM raises fuel surcharge

Passengers traveling on Air France and KLM will be paying a little more for their airfare, due to an increase to the fuel surcharge currently added to the final price of all tickets. Travelers on short-haul routes will be charged an additional €2 on a roundtrip ticket, while those on long-haul trips will see their airfare increase by €10 on a return booking. The airline’s management has cited expensive oil prices as the catalyst behind the fare hike. Those who feel that airlines already ask too much when it comes to fuel charges can take comfort in the fact that Air France has suggested that this measure may be temporary. If the price of oil falls below $75 per barrel, both Air France and KLM will bring the fuel surcharge back down to its original price. The airline did, in fact, cut the price of the surcharge earlier this year when oil’s value decreased on the world market. According to the latest figures, the price of oil currently stands at $80.95.

The fuel surcharge increase was not the only reason why Air France has been in the news recently. The airline also announced that a brand new seat category will be devised for the carrier’s Airbus 380 planes. This cabin can be considered a type of premium economy class, as seats will be more comfortable than those offered in regular economy, but not quite as wide as those found in business class. The category change should take place in early 2009, following the introduction of the new A-380 aircraft, which will be used on Air France’s long-haul routes.

www.airfrance.com