Press Release

Call to cut Crippling Fuel Surcharges

January 17, 2007

AIRLINES still slugging customers with a fuel surcharge despite plummeting oil prices could send Australia's ailing travel industry into a further slump, a leading online travel directory has claimed.

totaltravel.com welcomed Qantas' decision yesterday to reduce fuel surcharges on domestic flights and some international flights, but argued it was "still not enough".

"The price of oil has dropped by 25% and airlines now have the opportunity to help boost Australia's travel industry," totaltravel.com global marketing manager Paul Fisher said.

"For months, travellers have been choosing to stay at home due to airlines' excessive fuel surcharges, rising interest rates and spiralling fuel costs, and the travel industry has been suffering greatly as a result.

"Confidence in the industry has taken a battering."

In November, a totaltravel.com online poll found that 80% of voters believed airlines were ripping off customers by keeping the surcharge.

"If there is any chance of recovery for the travel industry, airlines must make their flights more attractive to the customer," Mr Fisher said.

Mr Fisher commended Emirates on its decision to abolish all fuel surcharges from February 1.

"Airlines should be incorporating fuel costs into the fare itself as a normal cost of business instead of creating a buffer for their bottom line at the expense of the travelling public."

Mr Fisher was hopeful that falling fuel prices would encourage non-air travellers to take more drive holidays.

totaltravel.com is ranked by Hitwise as one of the Top 10 tourism industry sites in Australia. Its 3 travel directories for Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom receive more than 80,000 visitors collectively each day.

ENDS

Media enquires:
Paul Fisher
Global Marketing Manager
totaltravel.com
Phone +61 (0)2 6680-8755
Mobile 0404 057 367