Chinese airlines raise surcharges for domestic routes

Several Chinese airlines, including national carrier Air China, said they would be raising their fuel surcharges on domestic flights from Sunday amid a global surge in oil prices. Air China, China Southern and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines said surcharges would go up by 60 yuan for flights of up to 800 kilometres and 120 yuan for longer flights. Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines also announced fuel surcharge hikes. International flights will be subject to the system's calculations, according to the statements shared Wednesday. The move comes as the conflict in the Middle East has sent crude prices soaring, impacting the aviation industry. The average jet fuel price increased globally to US$197 per barrel last week, from US$95.50 a month ago, according to data by the International Air Transport Association. Many global airlines have implemented fuel surcharges in response to the increase in oil costs. Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific ramped up its fuel surcharge on all flights last month as a result of the conflict, while carriers globally have changed flight paths to avoid the war-torn region. (AFP) Edited by Tony Sabine