Madam, - On Wednesday, May 14th, I checked in at the Aer Lingus desk at Frankfurt airport on one of my four annual trips to Ireland. I had no luggage except for one set of golf clubs, and was at first astonished and then very annoyed to learn that my golf bag would not be handled unless I paid a surcharge of €20. On further inquiry I was informed that this was the result of a decision by the Aer Lingus Board and came into effect in April 2003.
It is well known that about 250,000 golfers visit Ireland each year, and no doubt the majority fly Aer Lingus. The extra income generated by this golf bag surcharge provides Aer Lingus with the means to increase profit margin at the expense of golfers and that in my opinion represents blatant discrimination.
My friends and I refuse to accept this discrimination. For the past 17 years I have been bringing about 15 German golfing friends each July to Bundoran, Co Donegal for a golfing holiday. We have always flown with Aer Lingus.
On learning of the surcharge of €20 per golf bag, I immediately attempted to re-book our flights this year on another airline. This proved to be impossible because all alternatives were already booked out. So this year we are prisoners of the Aer Lingus system.
However, unless there is a change of policy, we shall be using another carrier in future.
Furthermore, I predict that not only my small group of golfers will be changing airlines, but many more as well, and where this is not possible, alternative golfing destinations may be found. For not only is Aer Lingus extremely reckless in forcing up the price spiral, but Ireland itself has become sinfully expensive over the past few years, and is pricing itself out of the tourist market. - Yours, etc.,
BRIAN O'CARROLL, Bruchköbel, Germany.