Another Middle-Eastern carrier has given momentum to the anti-surcharge movement. Qatar Airways Cargo said on Jan. 12 that it will take a phased-in approach to the transition from its current cargo pricing model to an all-in basis. Starting April 2015, Qatar will abolish its fuel and security surcharges, but will keep other “ancillary charges” in place.
At the turn of the year, Emirates’ SkyCargo freight division announced that it would return to the simplified all-in pricing, also eliminating surcharges for fuel and securities. Emirates will begin the single-charge structure Feb. 1 for airfreight to and from Europe, and March 1 for all other destinations.
Qatar made this decision after hearing feedback from customers and freight forwarders. Forwarders and shippers have been advocating for the end of surcharges for years because the complex nature of the pricing makes it difficult to quote a definite price to customers, and also because their commissions did not take the extra fees into account.
Qatar will maintain its pricing levels based on current supply and demand conditions, while taking its cost base into account.