THE MYANMA Petroleum Products Enterprise has reversed its decision to sell aviation fuel to domestic airlines at market rate, following fervent lobbying from the local travel trade.
The switch would have seen domestic airfares on most routes rise by about 20 per cent from March 8, with fuel surcharges on some routes spiking by up to US$25 for foreign travellers and 18 kyat (US$3) for locals.
“After we were informed (of the surcharge increase) at short notice on February 28, we discussed the issue with private tourism bodies like the Myanmar Marketing Committee and Union of Myanmar Travel Association, and sent a letter to the ministry requesting it to reconsider the fuel surcharge increase,” said Ma Than Than Swe, tour manager at Diethelm Travel.
“In the future, if the fuel price is going to go up or down, they should inform us earlier, rather than giving us such short notice,” she added.
Yangon Airways and Air Bagan have offered to refund the fare difference to all customers who forked out extra for the increased fuel surcharge.
