Atlantic City International Airport carrier Spirit Airlines is
railing against a new federal requirement to include taxes and
certain fees in advertised fares, delivering an attack on the rule
to anyone buying a ticket on its website.
"Warning: New government regulations require us to HIDE taxes in
your fares," blares Spirit's message on a huge box in the middle of
the screen. It continues, "If the government can hide taxes in your
airfares, then they can carry out their hidden agenda and quietly
increase their taxes."
Miramar, Fla.-based Spirit, which has a reputation for low fares
as well as for its various fees that can boost prices, launched the
campaign earlier this week.
The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday started
requiring airlines and ticket agents to include mandatory taxes,
surcharges and fees in published airfares. The DOT said the change
will make flying costs more transparent, helping people decipher
exactly how much it costs to fly.
The regulations do not address baggage and overhead storage fees
imposed by some airlines, including Spirit.
Spirit's response was met with rebuke, including from California
Sen. Barbara Boxer, who wrote a letter Thursday accusing the
company of deceiving the public about the new rules.
George Hobica, the founder of New York-based airfarewatchdog.com
that tracks air rates nationally, said the new regulations mean
published airfare rates will be around $20 to $60 higher on most
domestic roundtrip fares and more for international flights.
Hobica said the regulations should have little long-term effect
on the air industry, particularly since experienced travelers
probably already know about the tacked-on taxes and surcharges.
Yet airlines' claims that the rules unfairly target their
industry have a point, Hobica said.
"Everyone does it
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