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The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) today (January 22) gave approval for passenger fuel surcharges levied by four airlines to be reduced for the period from February 1 to March 31.
The new maximum levels of fuel surcharges will be $61 for short-haul flights and $280 for long-haul flights, which represent a reduction of about 44% from the current maximum levels. (These airlines and their newly approved fuel surcharge levels are listed in the Annex.)
A CAD spokesman said: "Despite the drop in oil prices, it remains an international practice for airlines to levy passenger fuel surcharges. 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, the 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.
The CAD spokesman explained, "The CAD has taken into account the need to safeguard the interest of the travelling public as well as the need for airline operators to recoup their costs. When approving fuel surcharges, the CAD will ensure that the revenue generated will not exceed the additional costs borne by the airline operators due to increased fuel prices during the corresponding period."
Passenger fuel surcharges are reviewed and adjusted regularly by the CAD. The last review was done at the end of November 2008 when the maximum surcharge levels approved by the CAD were $108 for short-haul flights and $499 for long-haul flights.
Ends/Thursday, January 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:53
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