AGENTS are urging the CivilAviation Authority to change its decision allowing airlines to separate Passenger Service Charges after finding evidence of hidden fare increases.
On Monday, fares were released quoting PSC separately for the first time for travel from April 1.
A British Airways full business-class fare from Heathrow to New York will jump from the current ú3,208.80 to ú3,216.10 on April 1 – a rise of ú7.30, which is exactly the same as the PSC for Heathrow.
Airlines are using the increase to offset the expected loss of duty-free from June 30.
Guild of Business Travel Agents chairman Don Lunn said agents’ fears had been realised. “This is clear evidence of airlines raising fares. We will be taking up the matter again with the CAA.”
The guild had warned that airlines were likely to push up fares in December. But the CAA claimed it had been given an undertaking by airlines this would not happen.
BA admitted some international fares had gone up to reflect the PSC.