Colombia Sets Airline Ticket Administrative Fee Maximums for 2016

Aeronautica Civil, the Colombian aviation regulatory authority commonly known as Aerocivil, has adjusted and announced the new maximum administrative fees that airlines may attach to passenger airfares for Colombian domestic and international flights. These fees are often charged by some airlines in addition to published airfares, similar to how some hotels add a “resort fee” on top of published rates.

In many cases, airlines charge administrative fees for use of a call center or in-person service but don’t charge them for online purchases via the airline’s website. Some airlines don’t charge the fee at all.

Airfares in Colombia are not regulated by the government, and are freely set by airlines. However, airlines may often elect to charge an administrative fee in addition to the published rate, and the maximum they may charge for this fee is regulated as a matter of consumer protection.

The rates take effect Sunday, January 10, and are equal to the rate of inflation indicated by the Colombian Índice de Precios al Consumidor (IPC) or Colombian consumer price index, which was 6.77% for 2015.

For international tickets, the maximum administrative rates are as follows (in US Dollars):

For domestic tickets, the maximum fee is $26,500 for one-way flights and $47,900 for round-trip flights. As of January 8, 2015, that equals $8.15 and $14.73 USD respectively.