Regional carrier Loganair had adjusted its fuel surcharges on bookings made from Friday (September 9), as the cost of jet fuel continues to soar.
The airline introduced a charge of £3.95 in March in response to surging fuel prices but has now created three tiers “to apportion the surcharge on an equitable basis in line with distance travelled”.
The surcharge on the shortest ‘zone 1’ flights – under 200 miles and typically covering ‘lifeline’ routes to and from the Scottish Islands and the Isle of Man – will fall from £3.95 per flight to £1.95.
This is in line with Loganair’s original pledge to cut the surcharge when the price of Brent crude oil falls below $110 per barrel for more than six consecutive weeks.
The surcharge for Zone 2 – between 200 and 300 miles – remains £3.95, while flights over 300 miles fall into Zone 3, so the fee will increase to £5.95.
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Jonathan Hinkles, Loganair chief executive, said: “We are happy to announce that on our key island and local community flying, we’re today halving the fuel surcharge for new bookings – as we promised we would do back when Brent Crude prices remained under $110 for six consecutive weeks.
“However, fuel prices remain highly volatile and a combination of US dollar exchange rates and refinery costs means that we’re paying more for fuel today than we were in March.
“Therefore, it’s only right that we address the balance and as we go into the winter, it is essential that we adjust charges to reflect these costs.”
The changes to the fuel surcharge are determined by the date of booking and not the date of travel, so the new rates will only apply on bookings made from September 9.