Qantas, Virgin executives grilled on airfare surcharges up to 23 times more expensive

A Senate committee will question Qantas and Virgin executives and a consumer advocate about high surcharges on airfares.

Source: AAP

Airline surcharges on flight tickets are up to 23 times higher than those charged by the average merchant, a federal parliamentary inquiry will hear.

Virgin and Qantas executives will be questioned before a Senate committee in Canberra on Monday alongside consumer advocate Klaus Bartosch.

Mr Bartosch had said in his written submission there should be a total ban on credit card surcharges because airline mark-ups are between three times and 23 times higher than the average merchant service fee for MasterCard and Visa of 0.81 per cent.