Phê Vé
April 12, 2026 • 3 min read
Volotea has sparked controversy by requiring passengers who have already purchased tickets to pay an additional fuel surcharge. Is this legal?
Airlines and Fuel Fees
The low-cost airline Volotea is taking unprecedented steps in charging customers, asking passengers who have already bought tickets to pay an extra €7 due to rising fuel prices, or risk being denied boarding. But is this even legal? Such a situation is certainly unprecedented in the airline industry.
Passengers Pressured to Pay More
Many airlines are currently trying to raise ticket prices by adding fuel surcharges for new flights. However, this is the first instance where an airline demands that already ticketed passengers pay additional fuel costs. According to their terms, if there is a “special” fluctuation in fuel prices, they reserve the right to temporarily adjust ticket prices before the flight. Passengers are likely informed of this when booking their tickets.
Passenger Reactions
Some argue, “This is in the terms; you agreed to it.” Yet, many others feel that “a ticket price that has been set should be a fixed price.” Personally, I enjoy flying with Volotea because they offer unique routes at reasonable prices. Just last summer, I flew from Venice to Nice with them, a route that no other airline provides.
Not Typical for Airlines
Other airlines typically state that any tax increases after ticket purchase can be passed on to customers. For example, Ryanair’s terms allow for additional charges if government taxes increase before a flight. This indicates that Volotea has taken it a step further by suddenly asking passengers to pay extra for fuel costs on already purchased tickets.
Legal Protections for Passengers
In France, by law, fuel surcharges are not considered taxes, meaning they must be included in the ticket price at the time of purchase and cannot be adjusted thereafter. This stands in stark contrast to package trips, where price adjustments may occur under travel law regulations. The European Union law also specifies that advertised prices must include all taxes, fees, and unavoidable surcharges.
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Volotea’s Reliance on Spanish Law
Volotea claims to comply with Spanish law, where the supreme court has upheld clauses allowing ticket price adjustments based on airport tax changes. However, fuel prices are a significant cost that airlines constantly bear.
A Controversial Topic
While Volotea may have justification for implementing this fee based on fuel prices, asking passengers to pay more for tickets they’ve already bought is indeed a controversial move. If an airline wants to transfer this risk to passengers, they need to communicate transparently and clearly.
Is This Acceptable?
Many believe this is only acceptable if the airline provides clear and fair notice about the potential for ticket price adjustments. However, the big question remains: how exactly do you determine the price based on fuel costs? Nobody wants to see an airline imposing unnecessary charges after a ticket price has already been advertised.
Airlines Violating Laws
Airlines rarely make such demands because it’s not only unfair but could also be against the law. It’s clear that Volotea has overstepped current regulations, and this needs to be reevaluated.
Final Thoughts
Airlines must ensure that they not only provide services but also comply with legal regulations and protect the rights of passengers. If they fail to do so, they could face legal consequences in the future.
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