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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (March 25) gave approval for passenger fuel surcharges levied by four airlines to be reduced for the period from April 1 to May 31.
The new maximum levels of fuel surcharges will be $52 for short-haul flights and $239 for long-haul flights, which represent a reduction of about 15% from the current maximum levels for both short and long haul flights. The applicable surcharge levels are based on the ticket issue date. (These airlines and their newly approved fuel surcharge levels are listed in the Annex.)
It is an international practice for airlines to levy passenger fuel surcharges. A CAD spokesman said, "When compared with the average amounts of surcharges at international level, the surcharges on the local routes remain at a lower level.
"Fuel surcharges are a type of aviation tariff which requires the approval of the relevant aeronautical authorities before they can be levied," the CAD spokesman added.
When dealing with the latest applications for levying fuel surcharges, CAD has followed the same approach, having regard to changes in the prices of aviation fuel, the justifications provided by the airline operators, and other relevant factors such as the charges levied by other airlines. This approach has been consistently followed in dealing with fuel surcharge applications (which are submitted every two months), regardless of whether the oil prices are on the increase or decrease.
Passenger fuel surcharges are reviewed and adjusted regularly by the CAD. The last review was done at the end of January when the maximum surcharge levels approved by CAD were $61 for short-haul flights and $280 for long-haul flights.
Ends/Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:01
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