Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd, Hong Kong's largest airline, will
raise its ticket surcharges for the fourth time in six months
because of higher fuel prices.
Short-haul levies will climb to HK$123 (US$16) each way from
HK$113, with long-haul surcharges rising to HK$508 from HK$466,
starting on February 1, Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department
said.
The carrier's Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd unit will raise
short-haul surcharges to HK$123 from HK$113 and charge long-haul
levies of HK$508, according to Bloomberg News.
Cathay Pacific has raised surcharges and ordered more
fuel-efficient jets to offset surging fuel prices. The cost of jet
kerosene, the biggest expense for most Asian airlines, has surged
48 percent over the past year.
The carrier agreed to buy 17 Boeing airplanes, valued at about
US$5.2 billion, in November to expand its fleet and to replace
older aircraft. Fuel accounts for more than 30 percent of Cathay
Pacific's costs.
(Shanghai Daily January 28, 2008)