Passengers booking a return flight with Japan Airlines before the end of September will escape a US$118 increase in fuel surcharges starting October 1.
These fees will be increased on all international tickets, subject to approval from the Japanese government but, until October 1, tickets can be bought at the lower price for travel up until the end of March 2009.
For flights between Europe and Japan booked before September 31, the surcharge is currently set at US$253 each way. This fee is collected in local currency, so the actual cost in pounds sterling will depend on the daily GBP-USD exchange rate.
The fuel surcharge at the new rate will be US$312 each way for the same flight, an increase of US$59.
The price of jet fuel reached record levels between May and July, which has led to the rise in ticket prices. The airline plans to limit the full impact of the fuel-price increase by introducing more energy-efficient aircraft to its fleet.
In a bid to be transparent, JAL has released information on the planned surcharges early, with a guide to how they are calculated. Click here for more information. The fuel surcharge for tickets issued between January and March 2009 will be reviewed based on the average price of fuel between August and October 2008.
For more information visit jal.co.jp.
Report by Sara Turner
