MUMBAI: International airlines continue to impose a heavy insurance surcharge on airline passengers, even though insurance rates have softened significantly since 9/11. The surcharge, called ‘YQ’ charge in airline parlance, was levied to make up for the airline industry’s loss in the fallout of the incident.

However, it has now become a permanent fixture and is being levied as a general charge that includes insurance, fuel and in some cases, a security charge.

A break-up of the surcharge is not generally available to passengers. Surcharges vary from airline to airline and depend on the distance flown. However, it can be as high as 30 euros per segment travelled, as in the case of airlines like Air-France.

“The surcharge has become a ‘backdoor income’ for airlines which keep discounting tickets on the one hand and on the other, keep this tax that was dumped on passengers,” said a frequent flier who did not wish to be named.

9/11 still tears through air fares, continued