Airlines Hike Cargo Fuel Surcharge

The decision is the result of the steep rise in aircraft fuel prices, KLM said in a statement.

It said the levy of 0.20 guilders or local currency equivalent would take effect from Friday November 1. The levy will apply to all air waybills issued by KLM Cargo and will be noted on the air waybills separately in the due carrier box, it said.

The airline said it would adjust the surcharge should this be justified by further developments in aircraft fuel prices.

KLM said it would introduce a cargo surcharge when it announced a fuel levy on passenger fares last week.

 

Swissair AG said it would raise its cargo rates by 10 US cents per kilo of freight forwarded from November 15, primarily due to the significant rise in jet fuel costs over the last 12 months.

Swissair Cargo said in a statement that it would continue to follow movements on the jet fuel market and consider future developments in its rate policy.

Over the last year the dollar price for jet fuel has risen roughly 50 per cent and since July the price for one gallon of kerosene has risen some 12 per cent to 83 cents from 74 cents. Market indications point to a continuation of this sharp rise over the medium term, Swissair said.

Past measures by Swissair Cargo have shielded customers from the additional costs, but the negative trend in fuel prices cannot fully be absorbed by Swissair Cargo, hence the rate increase taking effect November 15, Swissair said.

Virgin Atlantic Cargo said it is introducing a five pence per kg cargo fuel surcharge to all destinations from November 4 due to higher fuel prices.

The carrier said in a statement that it has been absorbing these charges but we are unable to continue to do so.

The new charges are five pence per kg except for on forwardings by air, which will be 10 pence per kg, it added.

Air France said on Friday it is increasing passenger fares on all flights from France with effect from Monday November 4.

In a statement the company linked the decision to a rise of some 40 per cent in fuel costs.

The fare hike will be limited to one percent for flights to Europe and North-Africa.

All fares to Asian destinations will increase by 2.5 per cent, it said.

For US destinations the increase will range from two to five per cent.