Hong Kong to cut fuel surcharges by up to 44%

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

HONG KONG, Jan. 22 (Chinese media) -- The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong announced here Thursday it has allowed four airlines to cut fuel surcharges by up to 44 percent for two months from Feb. 1 amid the falling global oil prices.

The new maximum fuel surcharge will be adjusted to 61 HK dollars (7.87 U.S. dollars) for short-haul flights and 280 HK dollars (36.13 U.S. dollars) for long-haul flights.

When dealing with the latest applications for levying fuel surcharges, the department has taken into account aviation fuel prices, the justifications provided by the airlines, and the charges levied by other airlines.

This approach has been consistently followed in dealing with fuel surcharge applications, which are submitted every two months, the department said.

The department has considered the need to safeguard traveler interest and the need for airline operators to recoup their costs, which means the revenue generated will not exceed the additional costs borne by airlines due to increased fuel prices.