Two Spanish Social Democrat MEPs, Rosa Serrano Sierra and Laura Ballarín Cereza, have asked the European Commission whether airlines that add fuel surcharges after a ticket has been purchased violate EU consumer and air passenger rights. The written question, submitted on 9 April 2026, targets practices where carriers inform passengers at or after booking that the final price may vary due to rising aviation fuel costs, which have doubled amid the Middle East conflict.
Concrete asks and policy direction The MEPs request the Commission to clarify if such post-purchase price alterations breach binding rules on price transparency and consumer protection. They also ask whether the Commission plans to take measures to ensure legal certainty for passengers and prevent abusive pass-through of fuel costs. Finally, they inquire if the issue will be addressed in the forthcoming review of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for air services.
Expected follow-up The Commission must reply within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views the practice as permissible under current law or intends to tighten rules, potentially impacting airline pricing flexibility and passenger protections.
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