Action Line #81110 – Fuel prices

  • Published
  • By Anonymous
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Complaint: 

I have been watching the pricing of gasoline throughout the European region since I have been in Turkey. While I agree the gas prices on base are lower than on the economy, I have noticed consistently over the last six weeks gas prices have dropped everywhere except Lajes and Incirlik. Some have dropped more than $1 a gallon. Most bases are teetering on the $3.10 /gallon price while Incirlik remains at $4.83 per gallon.

I read a September action line that stated: "For the past several weeks, our Shoppette has been selling gas at cost - no profit whatsoever. That means, of course, when the cost of gasoline declines, our price here will remain the same for a bit of time to allow AAFES some profit."

While I agree to a point that retailers need to make a profit, how long will they be allowed to make this much of a profit? Estimating a $1 drop over Europe in the last 3-4 weeks, for an average car having a 15 gallon tank, mean the Shoppette could potentially be making a $15 profit per car, per fill up.

To me, this could be construed as many things i.e.: price-gouging or price-fixing to name a few. It could also be detrimental to morale as people may be unwilling to venture out and explore all Turkey has to offer on their own. Maybe that could be misinterpreted as trying to promote group trips through various organization on base so they also can make a profit.

How long will this go on?

Response: 

I want you to know that we are fully engaged on this issue. We're working with 3AF, USAFE staff and AAFES to unravel this, but its not as simple as you make it sound. AAFES is not making a penny on the gas, they are selling for cost. The real issue is the cost from the supplier, DESC. The issue not only effects us, but Lajes as well. I did a 15 minute dissertation on the "whys" of this situation at my townhall meeting...I'm hoping you took the time to attend and hear the whole story. Bottom line, DESC is working on a price adjustment and we are hopeful to have a price change 1 December. We hope to have more within the next week or so.

Thanks for bringing this up; we're continuing to raise this issue up the chain.