Chiguire From Venezuela, joined Sep 2004, 2003 posts, RR: 19 Posted (6 years 8 months 1 hour ago) and read 2426 times:
Since some weeks we are now experiencing a constant decline of the oil price. From the maximum of about 74.50 to now about 67.
Isn't it time for the airlines to reduce the fuel surcharge step by step ?
Leskova From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 6075 posts, RR: 72 Reply 1, posted (6 years 8 months 1 hour ago) and read 2401 times:
Well... in theory, yes... but I don't think we'll be seeing any reduction in them for quite a while still: they're just too much of an easy money-maker for airlines to be reduced nearly as quickly as they were increased.
It's just like regular fuel prices: whenever the Dollar increases in value, the oil companies (well... at least here, where the Dollar isn't the local currency) increase prices and give the increase in the Dollar's value as the reason; when the Dollar falls again, prices remain high, with the explanation being that the exchange rate isn't the only factor that's decisive...
In short: no surcharge falls even remotely as fast as it goes up.
Chiguire From Venezuela, joined Sep 2004, 2003 posts, RR: 19 Reply 3, posted (6 years 8 months ago) and read 2371 times:
Quoting Leskova (Reply 1): It's just like regular fuel prices: whenever the Dollar increases in value, the oil companies (well... at least here, where the Dollar isn't the local currency) increase prices and give the increase in the Dollar's value as the reason; when the Dollar falls again, prices remain high, with the explanation being that the exchange rate isn't the only factor that's decisive...
I know this very special German explanation. But even there you can now see a drop of prices at your local gas station....
Avianca From Venezuela, joined Jan 2005, 5857 posts, RR: 41 Reply 4, posted (6 years 8 months ago) and read 2337 times:
Quoting Chiguire (Reply 3): But basically: because fuel suppliers charge less, Aeropostal reduces the fuel surcharge. An example to follow !
they should follow on the cargo sector Aeropostal is charging even for short routes extremly high fuel-surcharges, 0,75 USD per kg, other local airlines 0,30 USD per kg...
777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 11308 posts, RR: 17 Reply 5, posted (6 years 8 months ago) and read 2315 times:
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One thing you have to keep in mind is that the airlines are not 100% sure if the fuel prices will rise sharply in the short to long term. Airlines should lower their surcharges a little but keep some of the surcharges incase the price goes up again and then they have money saved to cover it for a while before putting up fuel surcharges again.
N174UA From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 993 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2265 times:
With the fall/winter season upon us, they really have no choice.
ZKOJH From China, joined Sep 2004, 1499 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 2225 times:
most airlines are keeping an eye on it, however the price has to stay at the same price or around it for a min of 30 days for the airlines to start taking of fuel ser charges - point said above it could go back up to 75$+ and then u would have to put it back on again ..
GeorgiaAME From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 867 posts, RR: 6 Reply 9, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 2162 times:
Fuel surcharges have absolutely nothing to do with fuel prices. If you do the arithmetic, they are grossly disproportional to the increase cost of fuel per passenger. They do, however, generate substantial revenue. Therefore, I think it is quite safe to say that the "fuel surcharge" is here to stay, even if jet fuel were to drop to 10 cents a gallon.
"Trust, but verify!" An old Russian proverb, quoted often by a modern American hero
Average Jet Fuel prices per gallon for the week ending September 15 are:
Asia and Oceania: $1.805
Europe and CIS: $1.827
Middle East and Africa: $1.799
North America: $1.748
Latin and Central America: $1.721
You will realize airlines are fast to raise fuel surcharges and a bit slow to lower them. However, with the 25% decline in oil prices they will be under pressure to lower their surcharges or face regulatory scrutiny. After all, it is a "fuel surcharge".
LTBEWR From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12329 posts, RR: 12 Reply 11, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2049 times:
With the economic condition of many airlines today along with the competition on price, I would suspect that the 'fuel surcharges' will continue as gives airlines a cushion if prices spike up again.
Ned Kelly From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2001, 393 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2046 times:
Why don't they just incorporate the price of the fuel into the advertised price of the ticket? When the price of fuel goes up they put the price of the ticket up, when it goes down the ticket price goes down!
Aviator27 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2022 times:
Quoting Ned Kelly (Reply 12): Why don't they just incorporate the price of the fuel into the advertised price of the ticket? When the price of fuel goes up they put the price of the ticket up, when it goes down the ticket price goes down!
Or is that too simple!
It is too simple Ned. From a marketing standpoint, airlines have found that passengers are less resistant to fuel surcharge increases than ticket price increases even though they are the same. People tend to identify with rising gasoline prices. It is working because many airlines have returned to profitability with the help of this tactic.
ANother From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 14, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2019 times:
Price of oil per bbl is irrelevant. Have a look at the price of aviaiton fuel here. Only a 7% drop from this time last year. Click on through and you will see that Asia costs have actually increased while N. America has reduced by over 14%
IATA's analysis here suggest that the airlines should be prudent. I agree.
Wsan581 From United States of America, joined Sep 2006, 178 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (6 years 7 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1986 times:
Quoting Aviator27 (Reply 13): Quoting Ned Kelly (Reply 12):
Why don't they just incorporate the price of the fuel into the advertised price of the ticket? When the price of fuel goes up they put the price of the ticket up, when it goes down the ticket price goes down!
Or is that too simple!
It is too simple Ned. From a marketing standpoint, airlines have found that passengers are less resistant to fuel surcharge increases than ticket price increases even though they are the same. People tend to identify with rising gasoline prices. It is working because many airlines have returned to profitability with the help of this tactic.
Keep in mind, most of the majors have hedged oil at a higher rate.So most of them are not able to take advanage of the lower rates yet.
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