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#372148 04/01/10 08:43 AM
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I have often wondered about the taxes I pay on my airline tickets. Especially the high taxes for Belize. So, I compared taxes on two itineraries FYI.

Here are the taxes on two tickets for flights on Delta to Belize and Buenos Aires


Belize Ticket
Total Tax: 355.95 USD
XF 4.50 XA 5.00 XY 7.00 YC 5.50 BU 18.00
BZ 15.00 FU 3.75 FV 15.00 FW 2.50 YQ 240.00
AY 7.50 US 32.20

Buenos Aires Ticket
Total Tax: 112.20 USD
XF 13.50 XA 5.00 XY 7.00 YC 5.50 QO 10.00
TQ 2.50 XR 29.00 AY 7.50 US 32.20

Explanation of charges:

Taxes on both tickets
XF - Airport facility charges for domestic connections $4.50 & $13.50
AY - US security fee $7.50
XA - US federal inspection fee $5.00
US - US international arrival and departure fee $32.50
XY - US immigration fee $7.00
YC - US customs fee $5.50

Taxes on Belize ticket
BZ,FU,FV,and FW - Belize airport departure fee $36.25
BU - Belize airport development fee $18.00
YQ - fuel surcharge for Belize $240.00

Taxes on Argentina ticket
TQ - Argentina security tax $2.50
XR - Argentina arrival&departure tax $29.00
QO - Argentina immigration fee $10.00

As you can see, the biggest cost difference is the surcharge for fuel in Belize.
Also, the difference in the US airport facility charge is because one is coach and the other is business class.

bywarren #372157 04/01/10 10:35 AM
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Wasn't there was a whole thread on this where the concensus, from those in the know, seemed to be that the fuel surcharge was an airline fee.

Phil #372159 04/01/10 10:40 AM
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It is my understanding that this is a fee the airline charges to offset the higher cost they pay for fuel in Belize.

bywarren #372160 04/01/10 10:44 AM
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I'd like to know the truth once and for all on this.

Phil #372161 04/01/10 10:46 AM
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What do you not understand? I had hoped this was expanitory.

PS: it would be interesting to see what other airlines charge for a surcharge as I only have info on Delta.

Last edited by bywarren; 04/01/10 10:49 AM.
bywarren #372167 04/01/10 11:01 AM
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It explains a fee is levied. Not to who or why. You intimate you know the answer without expanding. Previously it was stated it was an aditional airline fee. Are you saying it is a Belizean tax?

bywarren #372168 04/01/10 11:01 AM
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Most airlines charge a fuel surcharge on all flights, not just those routing via Belize. Is your "YQ" really all attributable to Belize?

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Phil, it is an additional fee the airline charges because it costs them more to refuel in Belize. They have a built in charge in the base price of the ticket for fuel, but when a country charges alot more for fuel then the airline adds the surcharge.
And Peter, no it is not charged on many other destinations just like it is not charged on the Argentina ticket. The YQ charge is only for Belize.

PS: it is really confusing because when I make the reservation the tax is quoted around $80 for both tickets, but when they send me the confirmation after purchasing the tickets, it further breaks down and separates the charges.

PPS: I am not saying I understand all of this. I am only providing this information based on the actual comparison of the tickets I purchased.

Last edited by bywarren; 04/01/10 11:35 AM.
bywarren #372195 04/01/10 02:06 PM
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Now I am confused. For a long time I thought most US carriers came down and went back w/o taking on fuel. I even seem to recall a thread years ago suggesting a mistrust of BZ avgas. I remember a couple of trips back to Houston or DFW where the skies were stacked due to storms and our plane got preference b/c of low fuel concerns.
Also, it's 4000+ airmiles to Argentina and only 750 or so to BZE-both from Miami. Seems 1500 miles is doable w/o taking on fuel. Or, are they being charged b/c they're not buying fuel.


Flyfishing my way through mid-life crisis.
krehfish #372197 04/01/10 02:27 PM
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It might also have something to do with the aircraft being used. They are most likely using something larger than a 737 to get to Buenos Aires. A larger aircraft can hold more 'US' fuel and holds more passengers who can make up the cost.

I'm only guessing, I have never understood how the airlines operate or their reasons for charging xx amount for any given ticket.

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