Tourists who have already paid for summer travel package holidays with Belgian low-cost charter airline and tourist agency TUI have been asked to pay an additional charge due to an increase in fuel prices.
Only customers who have opted to pay for TUI’s “Fuel Protection System” will be exempt from the additional charges. The price increases range between €72 and €320 for package bookings in June.
The airline company has offered the protection on fuel price increases for free up until 15 January, with around 70% of customers opting to accept the insurance, according to the airline.
Flemish broadcaster VRT says that one family saw the cost of their trip to Antalya, Turkey increase by over €300 after not subscribing to the fuel protection system.
The price of jet fuel is currently at all-time highs due to the high fuel prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While some low-cost airlines have stockpiled the high octane fuels, others are forced to buy them at sky-high prices.
A spokesperson for TUI told VRT that “there is now a much higher fuel surcharge on the balance invoice for departures from June than we once knew.”
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As of April 29, jet fuel in Europe costs $1390 per metric ton, up 154.4% compared to a year ago, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Adding to the woes of Belgian travellers this summer, new airport taxes have also taken effect as of 1 April. This means that travellers will also have to pay a supplementary €7.13 per person when travelling from Belgian airports.
Customers who will pay 8% more than the original quoted price will be given the opportunity to cancel their vacation free of charge.
