BA defends fuel surcharges

British Airways (BA) has insisted that customers accept the need for extra passenger charges to cover the cost of fuel.

Certain airlines have so far refrained from imposing fuel surcharges, with low-cost carrier Ryanair vocally promising never to do so in the future.

However, other major airlines have passed the cost of rising fuel onto passengers – BA has increased its fuel charges several times since 2004, most recently in April with an additional £70 added to a return trip (see BA forced to raise fuel surcharge).

But speaking on Sky News' Sunday Live programme, BA chief executive Willie Walsh maintained that people understood that the move was necessary.

"I think what the consumer has accepted, and this is important, is that there is a direct link to the surcharges we have introduced and the price of fuel, because they can see it themselves," he said.

"Fuel is a big challenge to the industry, not just to British Airways," he added.

BA is currently the subject of an investigation into alleged cartel activity regarding fuel surcharges and the price of tickets.

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