Aviation Report

The Dutch cabinet is planning to introduce a €7 tax charge on all air tickets. Ministers had earlier considered introducing a €3.80 tax charge on European flights and €22 for intercontinental flights but that plan has been dismissed for being too complicated, RTL said on Friday. Tax minister Menno Snel said earlier he considered it odd that flying is tax free, considering train, car and bus travel are taxed. The government hopes the introduction of a tax on flying will encourage people to use more environmentally friendly alternatives. The proposal has now been sent to the Council of State for its recommendations and if all goes according to plan, the tax will be introduced in 2021. Europe-wide Ministers would prefer the introduction of a Europe-wide tax on flying and if that becomes a reality, the Dutch tax plan will be dropped. The Netherlands first introduced a tax on flying in July 2008 but the airline industry soon said it had encouraged Dutch passengers to use cheaper ...

I am writing today to talk with you about Saver fares, which is a new product Alaska Airlines recently launched. Many of you have written or called us asking for a better understanding of the rationale behind this decision, and I'd like to provide some context for why we launched a new fare class with fewer benefits than other Alaska Airlines products. Saver fares are designed for a specific type of traveler - one who prioritizes price above all else, and not the elite Mileage Plan™ benefits you've come to know and love. Saver fares offer cost-conscious guests the absolute lowest fare possible. The trade-off is that these tickets are not refundable, not changeable, and not eligible for front-of-cabin seat selections or complimentary upgrades - even as an elite member. We resisted launching Saver fares, but in recent years the offering of Basic Economy fares by other airlines have become popular among cost-conscious flyers and we started to lose business to the com...