JAL, ANA admit overcharging for fuel tax

Thursday 18th September, 07:26 AM JST

TOKYO —

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways said Wednesday they have charged passengers too much for fuel surcharges on international air tickets that included Air Canada flights.

Between April 2006 and June 2008, the two Japanese airlines collected excess surcharges totaling about 102 million yen. The overcharging occurred because Air Canada made mistakes entering surcharge amounts in an international fee registration system.

Japan’s transport ministry instructed Air Canada to take steps to prevent a recurrence of such problems.

JAL charged an excess of about 65 million yen to 4,243 customers, while ANA collected about 37 million yen too much from 2,433 customers, ministry officials said.

The passengers overcharged by JAL include those who used Air Canada flights that connected to JAL services between Narita, near Tokyo, and Vancouver, while those overcharged by ANA used Air Canada’s code-sharing flights with ANA.

JAL and ANA will refund passengers the amounts they were overcharged.

JCN

› Login to comment

12 Comments

noborito at 08:40 AM JST - 18th September

Sure they will refund the cash. Sure they will.
Pivot at 09:56 AM JST - 18th September

if they actually have came out and said it, chances are high that they will refund the cash. I wonder why they admitted it anyway. Some internal threats of whistle-blowing?
Altria at 10:23 AM JST - 18th September

Nothing about their current fuel charges?
thepro at 10:27 AM JST - 18th September

fuel tax is such a scam
timeon at 12:02 PM JST - 18th September

remember that South Park theme song: Blame Canada?
DenshaDeGO at 01:07 PM JST - 18th September

Sure. These overcharges were "mistakes".
exitspeedgarage at 02:35 PM JST - 18th September

Most people don't understand the airline industry. The fuel tax is not a scam. It's extremely hard for airlines to make profits in the first place, especially here in the states, and adding on top the past rising fuel cost it's no wonder they pass it on to the consumer. It's either that or not fly anywhere. Airlines need to start raising ticket prices like in the old days.
thepro at 03:05 PM JST - 18th September

That's what I meant by 'scam.' They advertise these really low price flights, and then you get slugged with huge fees on top.
ultradodgy at 03:25 PM JST - 18th September

Hey, they just contacted me and gave me a cheque for 10,000 yen!

Forward this article to 20 friends and you'll get yours as well.
kview at 04:17 PM JST - 18th September

Shame on you Air Canada for overlooking and nearly getting away with this mistake for more then two years ! But thank goodness it blew the top and the international fee registration system came to their senses. Chances are not all passengers will come running to claim their refund or get called up like our lucky ultradodgy. Meanwhile keep forwarding this article and keep your fingers cross.
Nessie at 04:19 PM JST - 18th September

Basically, the airline business is a perpetual battle between hiding extra costs and having them ferreted out.
helloklitty at 10:49 PM JST - 18th September

fuel tax is such a scam

What about staying in business? Is that a scam, too?

I suppose for some people who are inexperienced travelers, the numerous extra fees come as quite a surprise and cause some disappointment. After a few trips, you learn to ask a few questions and find out the full price.

ultradodgy: Hey, they just contacted me and gave me a cheque for 10,000 yen!

Poor ultradodgy. The overcharge amounted to about 15,000 yen per passenger.