There must be clear breakdown of charges on airline tickets

AIRLINES that impose additional charges on a traveller’s flight tickets (e-ticket) must state in detail what the fees are for.

I booked a return international flight on a foreign carrier departing from Kuala Lumpur on Feb 11 and returning five days later.

Apart from the base fare and passenger service charges, I was charged an additional RM47. The breakdown showed RM42 for fuel surcharge/insurance and RM5 for communication fee.

The carrier must state clearly whether the RM42 is for fuel surcharge or insurance or a combination of both.

The charges should not lumped as one but must be presented in a detailed breakdown.

On its booking website, the carrier did not have a column for travel insurance so why was the insurance included?

And why was RM5 charged for communication fee? I did not communicate with the airline through email or telephone so what communication was it referring to?

Airlines must be transparent with their additional charges. Would-be travellers should not be made to pay additional charges without knowing what they are paying for.

This is the first time I have been imposed such charges by a carrier for an international flight.

Since the airline operates daily flights from Kuala Lumpur, it must adhere to our local laws.

Furthermore, I could not call the airline concerned for an explanation as it does not have an office in Kuala Lumpur.

WILLIAM DENNIS Subang Jaya