Japan Travel Trade Weekly News
Keeping you abreast of what's going on in the
Japanese travel and tourism industries.
News consolidated by Travel Vision, Inc. updated every week.
Japanese Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharge; No Surcharge for Infant. New
IT Fares Subject to Further Study
End-May 2008
 Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways have increased the jet fuel
surcharge by up to 8,000 yen for tickets issued on and after July 1
to September 30, 2008.
Both airlines have the same level for the new surcharges with the
highest increase for the long-haul flights that include Europe, North
America and Middle East from 20,000 yen to 28,000 yen per one way and
the lowest for the Korean routes from 2,500 yen to 3,500yen. The
Brazil route, presently operated solely by Japan Airlines, will be
subject to an increase by 8,000 yen to 32,000 yen per one way.
Regarding the fuel surcharge issue, Japan Association of Travel
Agents (JATA) has submitted several requests to 2 Japanese airlines
and 60 foreign airlines since May 7 this year. Until now, 2 Japanese
airlines have replied to agree to "an abolishment of fuel surcharge
for an infant not occupying a seat", thus the infant fares will no
longer incur a fuel surcharge. The two Japanese airlines intend to
continue to study other issues including the new IT fares which will
include the applicable fuel surcharge.
Major travel agents have meanwhile started working on their sales
strategies to boost early summer package tour sales. Commenting on
the package products reflecting the benefits of the strong yen,
JALPAK said, "There is a good demand." JTB followed to mention, "The
package tours featuring a specific event such as, for instance, a
summer music festival are fast-selling products in spite of the
higher tour price.
H.I.S., who has put on sales the package tours shortly after
Golden Week holidays with the fuel surcharges included, is enjoying a
vibrant increase in sales with a double-digit year-on-year growth,
said its corporate planning division. The strategy of H.I.S. seems to
have received a positive response from the customers.
Other travel agents, however, have not made any specific comments
on the possible impact of the increased fuel surcharges. In any case,
whether or not the "earlier capture of booking", the "tour with
specific features" and the "all-inclusive pricing" will help boost
sales of summer package tours will most probably become the key
phrase for the travel industry this summer.
*JAL Fuel Surcharges (in Yen)
Route / Revised / Current
Brazil / 32,000 / 24,000
North America, Europe, Middle East, Oceania / 28,000 / 20,000
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Hawaii / 20,000
/14,000
Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Guam, Vietnam / 10,500 / 8,000
China / 8,500 / 6,500
Korea / 3,500 / 2,500
*ANA Fuel Surcharges (in Yen)
Route / Revised / Current
Europe, North America, Middle East / 28,000 / 20,000
Hawaii, Thailand, India, Singapore, Malaysia / 20,000 / 14,000
Hong Kong, Taiwan, Guam. Vietnam / 10,500 / 8,000
China / 8,500 / 6,500
Korea / 3,500 / 2,500
|
RSS
