More Airfare Surcharges at LAX

Remember a few weeks ago when United instituted a $10 departure surcharge on all flights leaving LAX, due to the increased fees the airport is charging airlines? Well, as predicted others have followed their example. American, Delta, Northwest and US Airways have now instituted the fee as well.

Other carriers who service the airport, Continental was cited in the press release, have not added a surcharge to tickets, but are fighting the man at the airport for the additional fees they are charged. According to that carrier, the fees are “unfair and designated for unspecified projects.

If the airlines keep the surcharge despite the overwhelming disapproval of consumers, it could add a huge increase in dollars to travel expenditures from what is the fifth-largest airport in the country by departures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

United claims, “Passing along this surcharge to our customers is not our preferred action, but the recent sharp increase in costs to operate at LAX has left United with no other option.” There is some debate on whether airlines who have not instituted the surcharge will get more business from large corporate accounts in the area who will be greatly affected by the charge.

As I mentioned before, the LA World Airports claims the new surcharge FAR exceeds the amount of the rent increase and will therefore post a HUGE profit for the airlines. If that really is the case, why did for other major carriers follow suit?

It has been mentioned that passengers who don’t want to pay the fee can EASILY go to the Orange County or Ontario airports rather than LAX. Stick em where it hurts – in the pocketbook. Those airports are generally less crowded anyway.