MAS publishes fuel surcharge for Singapore-outbound flights

Starting June 1, Malaysia Airlines' (MAS) published fares for travel originating from Singapore will include fuel surcharge. 
 
An MAS media statement said: “As fuel cost is part of the operating cost of the airline, it makes sense and provides convenience to customers and trade partners to have fuel surcharge included in the published fare.”
 
Albert Ho, executive director of Citystate Travel and chairman, air transport, National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, said the practice is not common among airlines. “Majority of airlines' fares are quoted separately from the fuel surcharges. The few whose fares are inclusive of fuel surcharges include Emirates and Korean Air.”
 
However, hailing this as a commendable move, he added: “It is better to be more transparent about the true cost of an air ticket as travellers today are very discerning and expect airlines to be more open on its pricing strategy.”
 
While customers may feel “short-changed” when fuel surcharges are added to the final price and find themselves paying up to 30 per cent more than the original airfare, Ho said travel consultants also benefited as they “have less to explain”.
 
Jane Chang, marketing and communications manager, Chan Brothers Travel, pointed out that “the impact on the industry is still minimal and largely reliant on adoption levels by other airlines” as the practice was still uncommon among airlines.
 
MAS intends to introduce such fuel surcharges to its published fares progressively across its worldwide network, having already done so for flights originating from New Zealand (2006), Sri Lanka (2011) and India (2013).
 
Separately, MAS will increase the frequency of its Kuala Lumpur-Mumbai flights to 12 times weekly, beginning June 3, due to increased market demand. The new daytime service departs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 09.20, reaching Mumbai at 11.45. Flights leave Mumbai at 12.40 to arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 20.20.
-TTG Asia.