Air China raises fuel surcharges on flights to US, Europe

Air China flights tickets will now become costlier, particularly for those taking Air China flights to European countries and the United States from Chinese mainland.

The airline said in a statement that it is being forced to hike jet fuel surcharges for international routes because of the ever increasing global oil prices.

Air China said that it has raised fuel surcharges effective from April 14, 2012. The airline stated that it has raised fuel surcharges for flights from the Chinese mainland to European countries except Russia and Turkey from $166.41 (1,050 Yuan) to $182.26 (1,150 Yuan). It has also raised surcharges for flights to the United States from $126.79 (800 Yuan) to $158.49 (1,000 Yuan).

Apart from Air China, other Chinese carriers have also increased fuel surcharges on international routes. Leading Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines announced it has increased fuel surcharges for flights from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland from $26.64 (230 Hong Kong dollars) to $31.58 (245 Hong Kong dollars). It has also increased surcharges for flights from the Chinese mainland to Hong Kong from $29.79 (188 Yuan) to $32.17 (203 Yuan).

Hainan Airlines has also hiked fuel surcharges for international routes, such as Beijing-Berlin flights from $158.49 (1,000 Yuan) to $182.26 (1,150 Yuan).