Chinese airliners raise fuel surcharge

 Major Chinese airliners have increased their fuel surcharges for domestic routes for the third time this year. The latest hike aims to help offset cost pressures amid surging oil prices. Fuel surcharges for routes fewer than 800 kilometers increased a third from 60 to 80 yuan. Rates for longer routes climbed just over a quarter from 110 to 140 yuan.

At a ticket office in Beijing, Ms. Guan bought her brother a return flight from Shanghai to Beijing. The ticket cost 520 yuan, but she had to pay an additional 140 yuan for the fuel surcharge.

Ms. Guan, Ticket Buyer, said, "I came to buy a plane ticket several days ago when the fuel surcharge was 110 yuan. The higher surcharge has obviously raised the cost of our trip, but I will still choose to fly over long distances because it is faster and more comfortable."

The surcharge by domestic carriers comes despite recent easing of global fuel prices. It follows the National Development and Reform Commission's decision to raise jet fuel prices from 6,840 yuan to 7,640 yuan per ton.

Fuel typically accounts for 40 percent of Chinese airlines' operating costs. For other means of transport, fuel costs are much higher.

Experts predict that similar fuel surcharge hikes will affect other forms of transport.

China's aviation industry relies on the international energy supply. As oil prices rise, raising the fuel surcharge is a quick fix. But the ultimate solution may lie in how to increase fuel efficiency.

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