China's Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges

According to reports in local media, Chinese airlines are raising passenger fuel surcharges as of Tuesday February 22, 2011 — due to the rise in base fuel prices.

Major Chinese airlines — including Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines — have increased the fuel surcharge to CNY90 per passenger for routes longer than 800 kilometers, and surcharge of CNY50 for routes of 800 kilometers or less.

The airlines have decided to exempt airfares for infants from the surcharge. And children, disabled servicemen, and disabled policemen will pay surcharges of CNY30 for routes under 800 kilometers and CNY50 on longer ones.

The rise in fuel surcharges follows the decision of the National Development and Reform Commission to increase gasoline and diesel fuel prices by CNY350 per tonne on February 19, 2011.