Online travel insurance could benefit backpackers searching for the best deals on flights from the UK.
The Air Transport Users Council (AUC) has called for airport service charges to be applied to initial airfares so that there is more transparency to the process and passengers are less likely to feel they are being overcharged.
James Fremantle, industry affairs manager at the AUC, acknowledged that airports have a need to make a profit and that charges to the customer can be balanced against the reduced rates from airlines.
Mr Fremantle said: "We would like to see a situation where all airport services are paid through air fares, which is practical and sensible. Also, if it is done that way then it makes sure that the passengers are not ripped off."
He added that airport charges are in passengers' best interests as they allow airport authorities to provide all the services that enable people to fly in the first place.
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According to the British Aviation Authority, the organisation's UK airports had over 11 per cent fewer passengers in March 2009 than in the same month in 2008.
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