Exclusive:Loganair quadruples fuel surcharge after 3rd rise since start of Iran war
Call for transparency after other major airlines pledge not to introduce charge
Scottish airline Loganair has quadrupled its fuel surcharge for passengers since the start of the Iran conflict with a third increase in the last few days, The Scotsman has learned.
The move comes in stark contrast to the country’s biggest airlines, which have ruled out charging travellers more for fuel.
Fliers on Loganair’s shortest routes, such as Glasgow-Islay have seen the rate increase from £3.45 to £7.45, then £9.45 and now £13.50.
Passengers pay even more on longer flights, such as £17 from Edinburgh to Shetland, and £20 from Aberdeen to Birmingham.
The Glasgow-based airline declined to comment beyond confirming it had added an “incremental surcharge” in response to the rise in fuel costs, which would continue to be reviewed.
The surcharge does not apply to routes protected by “public service obligations”, including those between Glasgow and Barra, Tiree and Campbeltown.
The airline introduced a £3.95 surcharge in 2022 because of soaring oil prices, which was retained even after prices fell.
Orkney and Shetland Scottish Liberal Democrat MP Alistair Carmichael questioned why Loganair had increased its surcharge when other airlines had pledged not to introduce them.
He said: “They have continued to impose fuel surcharges, even when the price of fuel was lower, and now they want to ramp that up on the back of the current price spike. They cannot have it both ways.
“They should explain to their customers why this is necessary when other airlines have been able to hedge against this.
“If extra fuel costs are to be treated as permanent then it would surely make sense for them to build that into their ticket price rather than imposing a surcharge.
“That way, at least island customers would be able to get the 50 per cent reduction through the air discount scheme.”
Easyjet, Scotland’s biggest airline, said: “We are always focused on keeping fares low and have already confirmed we will not add surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or to any future bookings for this summer.”
Ryanair, the largest airline at Edinburgh Airport, which is by far Scotland’s busiest, said: “We will not be adding fuel surcharges.”
The airline said it had agreed the price of most of its fuel with suppliers up to next spring. Its spokesperson said: “We are 80 per cent hedged at $67 (£49) per barrel until end of March 2027.”
Jet2 said it would not introduce surcharges on any booked flights or holidays to cover cost increases, such as for jet fuel.
Air France and KLM said it had increased fares in March because of the “sharp and sudden increase in fuel prices”.
Flights between Scotland and its Paris and Amsterdam hubs went up by 10 euros (£8.65), and long-haul fares by 70-100 euros (£61-87)
Meantime, industry body Airlines UK said on Wednesday that no flights had been cancelled yet due to fuel shortages.
Chief executive Tim Alderslade said: “UK airlines are operating normally and fuel supplies remain stable with good visibility.
“UK airlines are planning to operate their full schedules this summer.”
The UK government said UK flight cancellations were running at only half their normal rate.
It said on Wednesday that analysts Cirium reported that 120 flights had been cancelled so far for May, or 0.53 per cent of those planned, compared to the typical rate of 1 per cent annually.
Most were to and from the Middle East and grounded due to the conflict.
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