[KnowItAll]

FYI - Found on the wire services...

Hong Kong - Passengers were facing higher prices for flights out of Hong Kong as fuel surcharges were increased Tuesday by more than one third for 13 airlines.

The city's Civil Aviation Department approved a hike of up 37 per cent rise in fuel surcharges for the airlines, including Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, starting next week in response to record-high fuel prices.

The surcharge is expected to raise the cost of the average short- haul flight out of Hong Kong by 52 US dollars while a long haul flight will cost an average of 133 US dollars more.

Cathay Pacific chief executive Tony Tyler said that the price increases refected 'soaring jet fuel prices that are posing an enormous challenge to the aviation industry.'

He said in a statement: 'The situation is having a very serious financial impact on airlines worldwide, and we are no exception. The price of fuel has doubled since last year and has risen by 55 per cent this year alone. At current prices, it costs us 360,000 US dollars in fuel alone to fly a (Boeing) 747-400 to London and back.'

Jet fuel prices now account for around 40 per cent of Cathay Pacific's net operating costs, compared with just 30 per cent in 2007, Tyler said.

[hullexile]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

FYI - Found on the wire services...

shit I misread that in the SCMP, thought it was an increase of HKD 52 not USD 52 for short haul. Was thinking it was not much to worry about given I am just about to book 8 flights.

[KnowItAll]

FYI -- sounds like modern math to me.

Among major carriers, Cathay Pacific Airways (other-otc: CPCAY.PK - news - people ) and Singapore Airlines (other-otc: SGPJF.PK - news - people ) which currently levy fuel surcharges ranging from 125 hkd to 518 hkd will charge 171-710 hkd from June 1.

Air China, China Eastern Airlines and Shanghai Airlines will raise their charges from 125 hkd to 171 hkd for short-haul journeys, while Air Canada, Air Mauritius and Turkish Airlines will raise their surcharges from 518 hkd to 710 hkd, the Standard said.

Hong Kong allows airlines to hike fuel surcharges amid oil price surge - Forbes.com

[meiguoren]

heh I'm glad I booked my transpacific flight for this weekend in January

[Mr.napoleonski]

CX increase the most!!!

[sunniefaith]

Yup! Me too. Paid and got my ticket to States for summer a month ago. Happy for that. But still have to deal with the fuel surcharge. Haven't booked my ticket to Spore for summer.

[PDLM]

There are some short haul routes now where CX's fuel surcharge alone is approaching the entire fare for some low cost carriers. I'm afraid that they are rapidly pricing themselves out of my market.

Look hard at people like Air Asia, Tiger airways and so on - they are perfectly good and safe airlines and they are way cheaper than CX now. (For example, you can go to Macau and get Tiger to Clark, just north of Manila, for a total price, including ferries to Macau, which is less than half the cheapest CX ticket HKG-MNL.)

[DanielandHayley]

Originally Posted by PDLM

There are some short haul routes now where CX's fuel surcharge alone is approaching the entire fare for some low cost carriers. I'm afraid that they are rapidly pricing themselves out of my market.

Look hard at people like Air Asia, Tiger airways and so on - they are perfectly good and safe airlines and they are way cheaper than CX now. (For example, you can go to Macau and get Tiger to Clark, just north of Manila, for a total price, including ferries to Macau, which is less than half the cheapest CX ticket HKG-MNL.)

We've used Air Asia on a number of occasions and have had no problems to date (touch wood), yes it's a bit basic, but for 2/3 hour flight it's fine...if your really lucky you'l get to go on one of their planes with the Manchester United logo/players on the side!

[leghk]

Economics to save the world???

Increased cost + Recession = less travel for business and pleasure/ reduced transportation of goods/ reduced energy use = a nice planet full of trees and butterflies for the future generations?

[Mr.napoleonski]

If Oasis is still here, no problem