Airlines 'will continue to add extra charges'

A market research agency has released a report suggesting that airlines will continue to add hidden charges to their fares in the future, a trend that could lead to an increasing number of people turning to ferry travel.

BDRC Continental said that the growth of budget airlines has led to consumers becoming used to additional fees that are not advertised as part of the headline price.

The company carried out a survey which found that two thirds (66 per cent) of people now think it is acceptable to be charged for carrying an extra item of hand luggage, while a quarter (25 per cent) would expect to pay more simply for being checked in by a member of staff.

Steve Mills, director of the tourism and leisure team at BDRC Continental, said: "Who would have thought five years ago that a quarter of us would now find it acceptable to pay extra just to be checked in?"

He added: "The fact that this 'unbundling' of flight charges seems to be increasingly accepted by the public suggests that this practice is only likely to become more commonplace."

Irish Ferries predicted earlier this year that the economic downturn and the stress of flying will lead to a return to ferry travel in 2010.

Posted by Mark Robinson