Passengers flying out of Hongkong will benefit from a 4 percent cut in passenger fuel surcharges for the month of April.
Short-haul flights will now have a fuel surcharge of HK$81 (US$10.43), down from HK$84 (US$10.82), while long-haul fees drop to HK$375 (US$48.29) from HK$390 (US$50.22).
However, Philippine Airlines’ surcharge will remain at HK$84.
Hongkong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD), which regulates the charges, approved 54 airline applications to collect the fees.
The CAD now reviews passenger fuel surcharge applications from airlines on a monthly basis instead of a bi-monthly basis, to allow airlines to adjust their surcharges in line with changes in fuel prices.
A typical Economy Class return ticket on Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines from Hongkong to Singapore attracts taxes and fees of HK$440 (US$56.66) on top of the basic fare. Apart from the fuel fee, this includes passenger security charges, air passenger departure tax and a Singapore passenger service charge.
However, low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia charges only HK$275 (US$35.41) on its Hongkong-Singapore route.
Kenny Coyle
