Airfares Up in Mexico

Mexican airlines will add an $8 extra charge on all plane tickets in an effort to offset a 20 percent hike in fuel costs, the National Chamber of Air Transportation (CANAERO) informed.

"We´ll be bound to increase the price of plane tickets. It´s an overcharged fare on fuel that will vary from 50 to 100 pesos ($4.3 to $8.7) per ticket, depending on the kind of flight," CANAERO President Jorge Luis Moya explained.

However, Mr. Moya noted the overcharge will be applied in conformity with each and every airline´s criteria. Experts don´t rule out that some companies might decide to take in the overcharge rather than making passengers pay more money.

For his part, Hector Davila, chairman of the Mexican Association of Helicopter Operations, pointed out that private aircraft flying from and to the country are now defraying 200 pesos ($17.5) whenever they refuel.

"There´s also an additional charge for this kind of transportation, especially as a result of higher prices of aircraft fuel," Mr. Davila was quoted as saying.