Airline Industry in a Quandary Over Fuel Surcharges and the Search for More Efficient Planes

The airline industry has been adding fuel surcharges to the tickets of passengers for some years, and increasing them as fuel costs jump. Yet, there have been no reduction in charges since 2009 despite decreases in fuel costs. A study by Carlson Wagonlit Travel found these facts and more, demonstrating that the airline industry has been profiting off their customers through unreasonable fuel surcharge fees. The study found that fuel surcharges have risen 53 percent since 2011, a stark contrast to the 24 percent increase in airline fuel costs in the same study time frame. Clearly the airlines are using the fuel fees as a way to increase profits. They may find it more difficult to justify the exorbitant charges going forward. A new law requires all airlines based in the U.S. advertise the full fare, which includes all of the components that make up the ticket price. The fuel surcharges must be disclosed, making it more difficult for airlines to justify the exorbitant charges. The new transparency rules may turn passengers off to the idea of taking vacations that require air travel. Airlines are using hidden fuel fees as a way to stay competitive in tighter markets, and lowering fares in order to lure in more passengers. However, the fuel fees can make up to half of a ticket price for international flights, which may lead to a reduction in the amount of passengers for those flights. The airline industry is also facing pressure in areas related to the use of jet fuel in the form of carbon taxes from the European Union. The European Union is requiring all flights taking off or landing in Europe pay for carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by aircraft. The program begins next year, and initially provides 85 percent of the cost of required permits for free. The rest can be traded off with less polluting airliners. Countries around the world are balking at the requirement by the EU, and the issue is still not settled. It's a sure bet the extra charges are going to be passed onto passengers. Volatility in the cost of fuel and threats of carbon taxes is causing the airline industry to purchase new, more fuel efficient planes. The goal is to reduce the amount of inefficient, older planes that are in the current fleets, and move to planes that get better fuel mileage. Some of the redesigns are expected to get anywhere between 13 to 15 percent improvement in efficiency, reducing the amount of fuel used. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7289157

Flight Details for Travel Plans

The three major metropolitan cities Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi attract a large number of passengers daily and thus the airfare has reduced greatly. Gone are the days when one used to shy away from plane journeys in order to economize. Now you can fly in style to your favorite places at low rates. Mumbai and Delhi are well connected via the aerial route and there are many planes flying daily to and from these two cities. As far as the Mumbai Delhi flights are concerned there have been a lot of lucrative discounts on the airfares. If the tickets are booked a month before your journey date, 69 percent discount is offered by the Air Sahara planes. For a similar facility the Jet Airways charge 3450 rupees. If you are taking a direct flight you can easily reach within a short time span of two hours as opposed to a tedious train journey of several hours. If you log online you will get all the updates including the fare calendars. The fare calendar updates the cheapest fare for a destination on a daily basis. The travel websites make use of these fare calendars for client convenience. Speaking of Chennai, one may want to progress to Mumbai. These two metro cities are not well annexed by road or rail route so the only option you have left is air conveyance. It would take you an entire day to reach Mumbai from Chennai if you drive or board a train. However air travel allows you to reach your destination in two hours. Some of the cheap flights from Chennai to Mumbai include Indigo, Jet Airways Connect, Spice Jet and Indian Airlines. If you can afford to spend more and travel in luxury then Jet Airways and Air India planes are the best options for you. The first flight takes off at five minutes after six in the morning and the final flight departs at forty five minutes after nine in the evening. A huge concession of sixty percent on base fare can be saved with advance booking of fourteen days. The cheap plane ticket on this route comes at a price of three thousand for a one way voyage. Air travel is always more economical if your return tickets are booked at the same time. Many airlines provide great reductions if the journey and the return tickets are booked together, at cool rates of ten to twenty percent. The Delhi to Bangalore flights cover one of the most sought after air routes in the country since these are extremely happening destinations for travel as well as commercial purposes. You can easily book your tickets online and land at the city of your choice. The travel websites provide you with an insight into the recent developments and changes in the flight plans and booking schedules. If you have to travel at the very last minute there will not be any lack of plane tickets when you log online to check out the flight details. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7295568

10 Tips for Flying-With-Your-Preschooler

Parents! Flying with your preschooler takes planning.Follow these tips and make sure you have said your good-byes to all concerned so everyone is prepared. Pack a special bag for the aeroplane. This will have a change of clothes in case there is delay, or bags get lost. Also books and activity things according to their age. If travelling economy class then you can only have one bag and pay for another so be wise. Make sure all the equipment that uses a battery has new or charged batteries In your carry on be sure you have Dramamine for motion sickness and any other medicines that you and/or the children are taking. For prescription drugs have a note from the doctor handy. Also chewing gum and sweets for chewing when the plane is taking off, candied ginger is good for upset stomachs and help with nausea. If you are going to places where clean water is a problem, please ask your doctor to recommend something for travellers' diarrhea. Where clean water is a problem, remember to see to it that your kids brush their teeth with bottled water and never eat food from street vendors. One adult carry ALL the travel documents. Makes you feel self-confident. Try and book your ticket well in advance so that you can decide if you or your child will sit at the window when you are making the bookings. You should all sit together. This can extend across the aisle. If 2 people want a window, then book the seats in front. Adults hold on to your children and I mean hold on to them. It's easy to get lost when you are in an airport and there are a lot of people and attractions around Label your bags clearly and count your bags including the ones you carry on. Every time you move, count them again. When you get tired, as happens on a long flight, it's easy to lose things. Having a ritual makes you less stressed, makes the children feel responsible and works against the tiredness. If you are not going to family and/or friends, an all-inclusive family resort is best. Note I said family resort as there are different types of all-inclusive resorts. At the family resort, there are special activities for all children with close qualified supervision, so you don't have to think about what to do every day. In the airport while you wait, kids have to learn to keep their activities confined to the space immediately around you. They should never go to the bathroom alone. If they are going to eat then one person should go and buy what is needed. Perhaps you could carry some snacks especially if you are a vegetarian or have any special food preferences. Children should sanitize hands before eating. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7253459