Outbound travellers will need to pay at least $30 more when they buy airline tickets from travel agencies next month. The Travel Industry Council said yesterday its members would charge the fee for collecting surcharges and taxes.
The industry watchdog said the charge was made because airlines kept changing the fuel surcharge as oil prices surge. Airlines would impose a surcharge one day and cancel it on another, it said.
Travel agencies were therefore, forced into extra administration work due to the 'fluctuating prices'.
The council said the $30 was not a fixed charge but a minimum and agencies could set their own level.
The council reminded travellers to check the extra charges carefully when buying airline tickets from travel agencies. The charge was meant to cover administration costs, the council said, adding that it did not believe it would discourage people from travelling.
