Aer Lingus "Taxes & Charges"
 

I have been onto Aer Lingus recently about the "Taxes & Charges" that they levy of flights.

It came to light after I checked the "T&C"'s for a DUB-MAD flight,

EI charges were €38.00 with no breakdown and Ethiopians were €19.00 with an item by item breakdown

I queried EI asking for a specific breakdown and in the end, they refused to give it to me

Has anyone else encountered this blanket refusal about "Taxes & Charges" from Aer Lingus

Yeah the 'charges' part is just EI adding in some levies of their own to suit their price structuring that's why they don't give a full breakdown I reckon. I imagine you could work out the real taxes charged by airport and government by looking it up externally to EI or using something like expert flier. But strange that EI would refuse to give you a breakdown if requested....just too lazy maybe.

Frankly, why do you care? An element of it is invented carrier surcharge anyway, there is no obligation for it to be objective. Focus on the all in number.

It's easier just to look them up - ITA matrix will show the breakdown of taxes and fees. Most airlines and travel agents will also show the detailed fare breakdown as well as all fees on the receipt (not the itinerary). If only the codes with no explanations are given, there are lists online on what the fees are, but in almost all cases YQ and YR are extra charges that only go to the airline, while other codes are mandatory for various government/airport/regulatory etc.. agencies.

I can't replicate the exact amounts you are reporting (and I don't know why the Aer Lingus one appears in premium economy here), but for examples to get an idea of what to look for:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5f2ae05da4.png

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...91c05ea2c0.png

The EI fare quoted is the IATA GDS fare, the online fare is 61.79 total
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...cfa89efe8d.png

19.10+16.95 = 36.05
The 25 admin is the GDS admin fee, which is only 9 on the online booking

I care because it looks like EI are pulling a fast one and the fact that they refused to give me a break down leads me to suspect that there is something else going on. It is basic manners and good business sense to inform your customers of the reasons in taking monies from you. No matter how it is dressed up, EI charges are double those of ETH and that makes no sense when most of the charges are set outside the remit of the carrier.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...12c2d5bc8d.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...8c8d0f8724.jpg

EI charges are pretty much the same

DUB-MAD 36.00
MAD-DUB 38.00

Bear in mind ET is using a wide body jet so charges are different

Next time you stop to fill up your car, ask the attendant for a breakdown of the taxes, charges and excise duties on your total bill....

How are they pulling a fast one? The price is the price, seeing a breakdown of how EI came to that price is not going to change it.