AAFES gas prices

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. John W. Hesterman
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  
COMPLAINT

I tried asking why our gas here is so much more than the national average (1.07 l). I was told it was shipping cost and pumping cost, but don't all gas stations in the states pay  the same over head?

I don't mind paying the prices but some younger troops that have to live off base are finding the continuous price hikes hard. If the higher prices are due to being over seas, then why is our COLA also going down? 

RESPONSE

AAFES' fuel prices are based on the U.S. Department of Energy's average fuel costs as well as unique additional costs associated with distributing/selling fuel in the local U.K. market (to include the fuel card management program, labor costs, depreciation, etc). 

While this results in fuel prices slightly higher than the U.S. national average, the price is comparable to (and even less than) certain regions of the U.S. and is substantially less than fuel costs in the U.K. economy. 

Additionally, while the Air Force does consider fuel prices when determining COLA allotments, since we do not purchase fuel at local rates, it is not weighted as highly as other factors associated with our Airmen living on the local economy (recreation, food, exchange rates, etc.). 

Unfortunately, gas prices are rising throughout the world and we are not immune here at Lakenheath.


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