April in Paris ...

...was a lot cheaper than May, June, July and later are going to be. While we've been watching domestic fares skyrocket (I hate that cheesy media verb, but it's actually appropriate in this instance), airlines have been really piling on the fuel surcharges on international routes.

Here's an update from Tom Parsons at BestFares.com:

***

International Airfares Continue To Climb Sky High
As World Wide Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges

Arlington, TX -- Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - "The cost to travel outside the United States is becoming more expensive due to special add-on fuel surcharges now being imposed by most US and international airlines across the globe" - says Tom Parsons CEO of Bestfares.com, the discount travel website that tracks airfares.

"On several international routes the fuel surcharge is actually higher than the base airfare" - says Parsons. The fuel surcharge compared to last summer on some routes has more then doubled. Parsons gives an example stating, "The base airfare price from Los Angeles to London for departure by May 25, 2008 is as low as $195 roundtrip and the fuel surcharge is $306 roundtrip."

This week we saw the price of oil hit over $122 per barrel. It's a traveler beware, as the cost of fuel continues to climb so will airfares. The cost of jet fuel has become the biggest expense for the airlines in recent years and this cost is now being passed on to the customer through fuel surcharges and higher ticket prices. We also expect to see more increases on domestic and international routes throughout 2008.

"As we enter the busy high-demand summer season, many travelers are seeking out airfares as low as last summer. We suggest that before you start searching on the internet that you take two aspirins to avoid ticket shock " - adds Parsons.

Listed below are the fuel surcharges charged by most major airlines that offer international service from the United States:

Destination	Summer 2007 Fuel Surcharge (Roundtrip)	Summer 2008 Fuel Surcharge (Roundtrip)	Fuel Surcharge Difference
Most European cities including Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Prague and Rome	$150	$270	$120
United Kingdom (London, Manchester and Glasgow)	$130	$302	$172
Beijing, Manila and Tokyo	$180	$270	$90
Cairo, Egypt and Dubai, UAE	$160	$260	$100
Most German cities including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich	$150	$210	$60
Hong Kong	$180	$270	$90
Honolulu	$18	$130	$112
Johannesburg	$150	$290	$140
Mumbai	$250	$350	$100
Rio de Janeiro	$56	$170	$114
San Jose, Costa Rica	$130	$250	$120
Santiago, Chile	$130	$310	$180
Sydney	$70	$230	$160
Tel Aviv	$112	$290	$178

###