American Airlines and Northwest Airlines today matched Delta Air Lines' fuel surcharge increase of $10 on many transatlantic flights, according to several published reports. Delta yesterday enacted the $10-per-way fuel surcharge on most transatlantic flights from the Western Hemisphere, except those originating in Canada and Mexico. Delta also said the surcharge for transatlantic flights originating in Italy will increase €10.
"Where applicable, the surcharge will be included in the fare for air transportation services quoted in any Delta advertising, or quoted to consumers by Delta or its authorized agents," Delta said in a statement. "Tickets purchased prior to June 8, 2006, for transatlantic travel in the future, are not affected by the changes."
Delta in April joined other domestic and international carriers—among them American, Northwest, British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines—in upping fuel surcharges
(BTN, May 1). At the time, Delta levied a $10-per-way charge on tickets for most transatlantic flights, except those to and from France and Italy. For flights to or from India and Israel, Delta levied a $15 and $19 fee each way, respectively.
The Benchmark Co. managing director Helane Becker yesterday said Continental also recently raised its fuel surcharge. "No one matched the Continental one, but they kept it in place," she said. "They also called theirs a fuel surcharge. This is like a new event. This is what they're thinking of doing as a way to raise fares without actually coming out and saying they're raising fares."