Fuel surcharges on international flights departing from Taiwan more than doubled yesterday, but the country’s major carriers said they would still have to absorb most of the increases in jet fuel prices.
The surcharge for short-haul routes has increased from US$17.5 to US$45, while long-haul routes jumped from US$45.5 to US$117, the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) said yesterday.
Short-haul routes cover flights within Asia (excluding India and the Middle East), while long-haul routes include destinations in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania, Antarctica, India and the Middle East, the administration said.
Photo: Wu Liang-yi, Taipei Times
The adjustment follows a surge in aviation fuel prices, based on the latest pricing announced by CPC Corp, Taiwan, which showed jet fuel rising from US$0.583 per liter on Jan. 1 and US$0.6126 per liter on March 1 to US$1.2816 per liter on Wednesday last week, the CAA said.
CPC last month said that higher global energy prices amid Middle East tensions were the main reason for price hikes.
The US and Israel in late February launched strikes against Iran starting a conflict that has spread across the region, with no immediate end in sight.
Taiwan’s major airlines said that last month’s spike meant they would absorb most of the jet fuel price increase despite the fuel surcharge hikes.
China Airlines said that its per-passenger fuel costs have risen to US$524.03 for long-haul flights, from US$168 in January, and to US$112.99 for short-haul routes.
After factoring in the approved surcharge, the airline is still absorbing about 77.67 percent of the increased costs for long-haul routes and 60.18 percent for short-haul, it said.
EVA Airways reported larger increases, with per-passenger fuel costs rising to US$774.09 for long-haul routes, from US$249 in January, and to US$129.53 for short-haul routes.
Even after applying the surcharge, the carrier is covering about 85 percent and 65 percent of the increased costs respectively.
Starlux Airlines said its added fuel costs per passenger have risen to US$258.69 for long-haul flights and US$59.92 for short-haul flights, with the airline absorbing about 64 percent and 42 percent of the increases after the surcharge is applied respectively.
Airlines have updated their Web sites to reflect the new rates for all international tickets issued as of yesterday.
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