Ryanair critical of Air France over fuel surcharge

Ryanair has criticized Air France for introducing its sixteenth fuel surcharge increase, pointing out that as a low-cost carrier, such hikes are anathema to its business approach. Air France’s one-way domestic surcharge now stands at €19, while those travelling within Europe pay €31 each way. Passengers on long-haul, trans-continental flights have been hit with a hefty €111 surcharge each way.

Danel DeCavalho of Ryanair told journalists that there is “no justification” for Air France’s sixteenth fuel surcharge increase and confirmed that the low-cost giant would not implement a fuel surcharge on its own flights, despite how much the price of oil rises.

Air France has, however, essentially hedged around 78 percent of its oil supply approximately $40 below what the current market price is, which yesterday climbed to nearly $140. As such, DeCavalho does not understand why the surcharge keeps increasing. “Air France passengers are increasingly deserting high fare airlines like Air France with their unfair fuel surcharges and coming to Ryanair for our guaranteed lowest fares with a guarantee of no fuel surcharges,” DeCavalho explained. Ryanair, of course, seems to be going out of its way in luring Air France’s passengers over to the low-cost side of the aviation industry. The Irish discount carrier has announced the sale of 100,000 tickets from destinations in France, for only €10.

www.ryanair.com

www.airfrance.com