Volotea withdraws surcharge for higher fuel prices following FACUA complaint

Volotea airline has withdrawn the fuel price surcharge for its new reserves after almost three months since its introduction on 16March, citing the direct impact of the armed conflict in the Middle East on fuel prices as the main reason for the surcharge.

In a statement released on Wednesday,theairline stressed that since the introduction of this temporary surcharge called 'Fair Travel Promise' , 97% of customers have decided to confirm their trip and proceed with their plans.

In the wordsofDavid González , CEO of Volotea, the measure stems from a very simple idea: "to ensure that our customers pay a fair price for fuel, not an extra euro, while keeping tariffs as affordable as possible."

It also stated that the airline will continue to assume increases in fuel prices and offer "unlimited" flexibility on all tickets "at no additional cost. "

The surcharge took as a reference the market prices of fuel from public sources, seven days before departure, and adjusted, if necessary, the price of tickets.

With a view to the summer months, like the rest of the Spanish airlines, Volotea has reiterated that there are no plans to cancel and suspend flights during the summer season.

Consumer has opened an investigation.

In this context, theMinistry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030has opened an investigation into the Volote following a complaint by  Facua for a measure that has been in force for almost three months.

Thus, FACUA has asked users who have had to pay thisextra cost of up to EUR 14 \ u00A0 to request the airline to reimburse the extra cost.

Facua considers that this surcharge corresponds to an "abusiveand unfavourable clause "ofthe General Act for the Defence of Consumers eta Enternational.

Facua has thus criticized the fact that this measure has prevented users from knowing exactly the final price of the flight at the time of purchase, as the surcharge was applied seven days before the flight.