Originally Posted by
stifle
... including all EU countries, so your original suggestion that the EU should leglislate is obviously illogical.
Originally it was said that they wanted the freedom to change surcharges quickly and frequently in reaction to the volatile price of aviation fuel, whereas lodging new fares into the GDSs is time-consuming and expensive. More plausible reasons include the commission point and the fact that many airlines charge fuel surcharges on redemption tickets.
However, we're getting off topic.
The topic is about consumer protection. There are many of us who believe that clear transparent pricing is a consumer protection issue so it is most definitely on topic. You obviously see it differently - your prerogative.
The airlines are stretching the definition of "transparency" somewhat, e.g. I bought a ticket from BA only last night. Yes, they quoted me the full price at purchase, but if I look at the details of the price, I see it broken down between "Fare" and then a separate amount lumped initially under "Taxes/fees/charges" which then goes on to list government imposed charges followed by the BA fuel surcharge.
That the fuel surcharge is listed under "Taxes/fees/charges" gives the impression that it is somehow not something under BA's control which it clearly isn't. That is disingenuous at best, if not misleading.
Add btw, I believe that BA stopped paying commission to T/A's years ago.