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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (December 17) gave approval for passenger fuel surcharges levied by four airlines to be increased or remain at the same level for the period from January 1-31, 2010.
The new maximum levels of fuel surcharges will be $78 for short-haul flights and $362 for long-haul flights, which represent an increase of 4% 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 the other airlines. This approach has been consistently followed in dealing with fuel surcharge applications regardless of whether the oil prices are on the increase or decrease.
Passenger fuel surcharges seek to allow airlines to partially recover the increase in operational costs due to fluctuations in aviation fuel prices.
Passenger fuel surcharges are reviewed regularly by CAD. The last review was done at the end of November when the maximum surcharge levels approved by CAD were $75 for short-haul flights and $348 for long-haul flights.
Ends/Thursday, December 17, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:05
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