newstodate.aero
Aug 24, 2006 (newstodate): Fuel surcharges, levied by airlines on their ctustomers to compensate for fuel cost hikes, are not a thing ordained by heaven..
In contrast to the air cargo industry, including shipers and forwarders, in general, at least one group of customers seem to be able to succesfully ward off airline pressure: air mail customers.
As these in many cases hold national monopolies, or are otherwise enjoying state protection, they are in a position to refuse claims for fuel surcharges.
-Air mail contracts are long-term, stable business relations much coveted by airline cargo companies, and even if they are mostly the outcome from tenders, negotiations are very tough and demanding, says an industry source.
-The general attitude of the post authorities is that if you, as an airline, want to cover your costs, they must be included in the rate. Any later claim for surcharges are flatly turned down. Or rather: no airline that cares for its air mail contract would run the risk of raising the issue in the first place, he says.
In contrast to the air cargo industry, including shipers and forwarders, in general, at least one group of customers seem to be able to succesfully ward off airline pressure: air mail customers.
As these in many cases hold national monopolies, or are otherwise enjoying state protection, they are in a position to refuse claims for fuel surcharges.
-Air mail contracts are long-term, stable business relations much coveted by airline cargo companies, and even if they are mostly the outcome from tenders, negotiations are very tough and demanding, says an industry source.
-The general attitude of the post authorities is that if you, as an airline, want to cover your costs, they must be included in the rate. Any later claim for surcharges are flatly turned down. Or rather: no airline that cares for its air mail contract would run the risk of raising the issue in the first place, he says.