No fuel surcharge from bmi

Just received an email from BMI...

In these tough times, we bring you some good news. With effect 1 November 2008, we'll be burning fuel surcharges on all our UK and European flights departing or arriving at London Heathrow.

Yes that's right - No fuel surcharge. None. Whatsoever. At all. And no extra charge for baggage, check-in, or pre-selecting your seat either.

Thread moved to BMI forum by mod.......Nick

[Neil]

Hmmm, what a load of rubbish. This isn't them getting rid of the fuel surcharge, it is a just a fancy way of doing a sale.

*If* it was about reduction or removal of the surcharge, then why just flight ex LHR? Does fuel cost more ex MAN/LBA etc? And why just on UK/European flights, do they use different more expensive fuel on long haul flights?.

Shameful use of an important topic, especially when they should be very close to removing the surcharge[V]

Neil

[preiffer]

Also, as some rather hawk-eyed FT members have noticed....

Fuel Surcharge DOWN by £5.
Base fare price UP by £3.

Ummm..... [:w][n]

Originally posted by preiffer
Also, as some rather hawk-eyed FT members have noticed....

Fuel Surcharge DOWN by £5.
Base fare price UP by £3.

Ummm..... [:w][n]

I did wonder if the fares had actually come down. Guess that answers that one then!

I have to say in their defence though. Isn't this what people have been clamouring for - including the fuel in the cost of the ticket rather than the surcharge. Certainly if VS scrapped the surcharge and included it in the basic price I can't see anyone complaining - Think of the saving on reward flights.

Anyway 5-3 = 2 so there is still a saving. Surely tansparancy in prices is a good thing. I grant you they probably need to extend it to all flights and maybe change their language a bit but this is not a bad thing is it?

FM

[Neil]

I know what you are saying, but if this was a true removal of the surcharge it would be from all destinations, and on all routes. They are just dressing it up as a removal to make them look like they are trying to help when all they are doing is a sale on ex LHR to UK/Europe flights.

The other point is, they should actually be removing the surcharge now anyway, the cost of fuel is a good 20/25% less than it was in the summer and the airlines are being very poor at passing this on. So whilst I agree I would rather see a surcharge, if necessary, as part of the ticket cost, what BMI are doing by claiming they are removing it, unlike other airlines, is just wrong.

Neil

As I said - I agree the way they dressed it up is wrong and that they have not done it on all routes but the actual move is a 'small' step in the right direction.

Unfortunately fuel surcharges have been around for quite a while now and there is no way they only reflect short-term fluctuations. I think fuel would have to fall to virtually zero before airlines scrap them because let's face it they cover more than just the exra cost of the fuel.

FM