The European Union has issued a clear warning to airlines: they must not charge customers extra fuel fees after tickets have already been purchased. This directive comes as the aviation sector grapples with soaring energy prices exacerbated by the Middle East war.
EU Stance on Retroactive Price Changes
In a document published on Friday addressing the energy crisis affecting the aviation industry, the EU stated that "any retroactive change of the price is excluded." EU spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told reporters in Brussels that while airlines may adapt their published fares to current market conditions, adding a fuel surcharge to a ticket after it has been bought cannot be justified. She added that such post-booking changes could raise issues under the EU's unfair commercial practices laws.
European Commission Clarifies Rules
The European Commission elaborated that airlines cannot include terms and conditions allowing them to increase the ticket price above what was advertised at the time of purchase simply because fuel costs turned out higher than anticipated. The only exception applies to package holidays, provided the seller explicitly stated in the contract the possibility of fuel-related cost adjustments. In such cases, an increase of up to eight percent is permitted. If the increase exceeds this threshold, customers have the right to accept the change or cancel their booking without penalty.
Case Study: Volotea Under Scrutiny
Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea has faced criticism in France, where it is under investigation for demanding fuel surcharges from customers due to the energy shock from the war. Gilles Gosselin, the airline's France director, defended the measure, stating that its legality has been confirmed by three independent law firms specializing in air transport and consumer law. He emphasized that the measure is transparent, temporary, and works both ways, meaning it can adjust prices up or down depending on fuel costs.
The EU's firm stance aims to protect consumers from unexpected price hikes after they have committed to a purchase, ensuring transparency and fairness in the aviation market during these turbulent times.
