£13 isn't it in Europe...?
The Airlines are talking through their arses.....
In the UK, unlike the EU, aviation fuel is not taxed with VAT. If we were to apply it, I use the following example:
36750 US gallons on an Airbus 330-200 with a range of 6750 miles and passenger capacity of 250
Say you were flying to Larnaca, Cyprus that's 2000 miles, say 18000 gallons as you have to allow for landing as well, well then that's 72 US gallons of fuel. Current UK price is £852.30/1000 litres, so 72 galls = 272 litres or £232 - apply 20% VAT and that's £46 increase.....
Take your pick.