KLM and Lufthansa latest to impose surcharge

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has imposed a global per-kilogram surcharge on freight.
This follows Lufthansa Cargo’s identical surcharge from October 8.

KLM said it would be charging 0.15 euros (about 22 cents Canadian) per kilogram of actual weight for all air freight from October 15.

“This surcharge covers various increases, including higher insurance premiums, additional worldwide security measures and decreased schedule and route efficiency resulting from the tighter security measures,” said the company.

After the terrorist attacks of September 11, there was a cap from insurance underwriters on airlines’ third-party liability at US$50 million, forcing carriers to take private cover, at added cost, or expose themselves to crippling claims should something go wrong.