Awwal 17, 1432 H / April 21, 2011, SPA -- Passengers flying from Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd are to face hikes in their fuel surcharges from May 1, officials said Thursday, according to dpa. The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department said it had approved Cathay's request to push up the surcharge paid by long-haul passengers 17 per cent from 884 to 1,030 Hong Kong dollars (114 to 132 US dollars). The surcharge on short-haul trips would increase 14 per cent from 194 to 222 Hong Kong dollars, the department said. The same increases were also granted to Singapore Airlines Ltd and All Nippon Airways Co Ltd, the department said. The hikes were approved after fuel prices rose more than 40 per cent in the past six months. The increase prompted the department to allow the carriers to review their fuel surcharges every month from January, rather than every two months as was previously the case. The fuel surcharges for the three airlines affected are now 65 to 72 per cent higher than at the beginning of the year.
