Global

Those little extra fees charged by airlines and other suppliers have grown into a multibillion dollar business that makes it virtually impossible for buyers to efficiently and accurately compare the full cost of travel between suppliers.

With the proliferation of credit card booking surcharges in the European Union, volatile fuel surcharges and increases in other taxes and charges, the situation is not likely to ease anytime soon. Future U.S. regulation on airline ancillary fees in GDSs could bring radical improvements in transparency, but no firm decision has been reached yet.

Some of the key items expected to impact the travel program:

• Airlines will continue to focus on growing ancillary revenues
• The European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) could impact airline fares and fees
• Fuel prices are forecast to drop slightly but the impact on fares and surcharges will vary between airlines
• A growing number of legacy airlines are applying credit card booking surcharges
• Air passenger duty will increase by 8% to 10% in the United Kingdom starting in April 2012
• Hotel amenity fees will be included in about two-thirds of negotiated rates in 2012

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