Virgin’s Branson wants airline fees regulated

Virgin Airlines boss Sir Richard Branson has advised travellers to take advantage of the cheap airfares they can now get their hands on, warning that airfares are not like to fall much more than this.

Branson says this is a great time for travellers to secure great deals, and they should make most of it, despite the sudden proliferation of extra fees being lumped on by airlines. The Virgin Airlines boss slammed the current trend adopted by major airlines which has seen a variety of add-on fees being pressed upon passengers.

Speaking in Sydney at the Australian Hotel, Branson said authorities need to step in to stop airlines from hitting passengers with costly add-ons. He pointed out that the growing number of extra fees and charges levied on customers can significantly push up travel costs for passengers.

British Airways, Continental, Delta, American Airlines and other major airlines have now introduced a second bag check-in fee. USA’s Southwest airline has recently offered passengers a chance to board the flights before general boarding begins, at a cost of $12. British Airways has levied a charge on passengers wanting to book particular seats on their flights more than 24 hours ahead of flight time.

Branson says that the extra fees, once implemented by the airlines, make their ticket prices look cheaper, which leads to other airlines being forced to match the procedure, or end up looking like they are a lot more expensive.

Branson says he believes everything should be shown upfront on the ticket prices, and that industry regulators should consider enforcing such norms.

Branson was speaking at the Australian Hotel while launching new discount fares to the UK.