OMG, let’s hope this really happens soon!
Don’t you hate it when you are buying an air ticket and then when it’s time to make the payment, you suddenly notice that there is a little extra charge in the fee? Although it may not be much in comparison with your flight ticket prices, it does add up!
However, these charges may soon be a thing of the past as the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) will be looking into this matter. According to the Sun Daily, a source from the aviation industry claims that the time for airlines levying multiple “administrative charges” and “extra charges” of up to RM30 on passengers are coming to an end.
While air ticket prices are up to the airline’s discretion, they cannot simply impose additional charges on passengers by introducing fees for using credit or debit cards. They usually call these “processing fees”! Sometimes, airlines would pass on these fees to the passenger so that they can use the system securely as the airline has invested a lot of money to create a safe system for us. Guess they need it to maintain the system?
While previously there was no proper governing body to regulate these extra charges imposed by airlines, Mavcom has been assigned to oversee this area. Unreasonable charges will be removed, the Sun Daily’s source said.
“Some charges that are reasonable and within the law will be allowed but unreasonable charges will be removed. For example, some airlines charge passengers a credit card fee based on a “per sector” factor although the card is used only once to purchase a return ticket.”
“The passenger ends up being charged RM7 for using a credit card to pay for a Kuala Lumpur to Penang flight, and another RM7 charge for the return trip from Penang to KL. This will not be allowed. The airline can only charge once for the ticket, and no more than what regulations allow,” the source added.
All these charges will be reviewed by Mavcom and if they find any that they deem unnecessary, the airline would have to justify it to them.
Yay! Hopefully we don’t have to pay so much of these “processing fees” next time!
Also read: International Flights from KLIA2 Will Cost You More Starting January 2018