Page 6 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

COVER STORY AIR FARES

In the Consumer Interest

Airlines are providing more for less, contrary to public opinion

By Geoffrey Thomas

iF one WAs to Believe everYthing complaint with the Australian Competition
being said about airlines, their fees and and Consumer Commission, lashing airlines
policies by consumer groups across the over what it claims were “unfair fees” and
globe, passengers would be forgiven for alleging that “travelers are ill-treated” with
thinking they are being ripped off by greedy regard to these fees.
multinationals. The truth, in this often-heated In the US, extreme airline consumer website
airline consumer debate, is so muddled FlyerRights.com has accused major US airlines
in falsehood and omission that when the of taking air travel to a new low suggesting the
truth does emerge, it is barely recognizable. new basic economy is just “another money grab”.
Any way you juggle the numbers, flying has The consumer group expressed concern that a
never been cheaper when compared to U.S. Department of Justice probe, into whether
average weekly earnings, even with all the major US carriers colluded in expansion plans,
add-ons and fees that are provoking debate. was being scaled back for lack of evidence. The
Consumer groups are shrill in their relentless group also claimed that flying in the US was
condemnation of airlines for the host of so “exorbitant compared to Europe.” The claim
called exorbitant charges that are supposedly seems odd considering that the US has airlines top: First Class in 1955. Picture
ripping passengers off. In December last such as Spirit which has one-way fares from colorised by Benoit Vienne
year, Australia’s Choice magazine took the Chicago to Boston for as low as US$49 and to opposite pAge: Boeing 747
criticism to a new level launching a super LA for US$94. mockup with 3-4-2 cross section
6 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA