BA & Ryanair Charge Hikes

British Airways is increasing fuel surcharges on all tickets issued from Friday, May 2, due to continuing high oil prices. 

The airline said the surcharge on short-haul flights would increase by GBP3 pounds (USD$5.95) per flight to GBP13, or by GBP6 to GBP26 for a return.

The surcharge on long haul flights of less than nine hours will rise by GBP10 a flight to GBP63.

On long-haul flights of more than nine hours, the charge will rise by GBP15 to GBP79 per flight.

Ryanair said on Monday it would increase charges for passengers checking in bags in a bid to encourage more people to travel with hand luggage only.

Europe's biggest low cost airline said from May 5 passengers who pre-book baggage they want to check in to the hold will be charged 10 euros (USD$15.66), up from 9 euros previously.

Customers booking for their flight at the airport rather than online will also incur an additional check-in charge of 5 euros versus 4 euros previously.

"Ryanair encourages passengers to avoid these charges altogether by travelling with our 10 kg hand luggage allowance and checking in online," it said in a statement.

The company said it would may continue to raise baggage fees until half of its passengers checked in online.

30 April 2008