Airfare to Morocco Soars as Fuel Prices Spike, Impacting Belgian Travelers

Some European tour operators have started to adjust the price of their flights in the face of rising fuel prices. Travelers are likely to spend more money to buy plane tickets, and even to make reservations. The fare will increase by several tens of euros, according to Libre Eco.

To read: Morocco Flight Prices Soar as Demand Outpaces Supply, Travel Agents Report

The "fuel surcharge", which appeared in the early 2000s, is set by travel agencies and airlines based on several factors such as the distance of the flight and any changes of aircraft. For example, the travel agency TUI has already increased the prices of flights scheduled to Morocco, Spain or Turkey. Travelers to these countries will have to pay an additional twenty euros on top of the initially set price for short trips. For long-haul trips like the Caribbean or Mexico, this surcharge is even higher.

The price increase will be effective for all TUI flights from January 2022, including for reservations already made. "There are now often interesting fares for flights and organized vacations to attract customers again. On the other hand, of course, the economic reality does not allow us to make many big gifts, as the situation remains complicated for airlines and tour operators," explains Pierre Fivet, spokesperson for the Belgian Association of Tour Operators (ABTO), who assures that the price increase will be moderate.