Cathay Pacific on Aug. 1 will increase its passenger fuel
surcharges by as much as 41 percent, the carrier announced Friday, citing jet
fuel price increases "due to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East."
The surcharge on flights operated by Cathay Pacific between
Hong Kong and each North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the
southwest Pacific will increase to $174.60 from $123.70. Surcharges will increase
to $198 from $165 on flights from Hong Kong to mainland China and to $162 from
$135 on flights from mainland China to Hong Kong. Surcharges on flights between
Hong Kong and the South Asian subcontinent will increase to $81.20 from $57.43.
All other flights will see the fee increase to $43.50 from $30.90.
Cathay Pacific noted that the fuel surcharge increase is the
first since April, and that the charges are "still below the peak level in
that same month." The upcoming increases also follow multiple reductions
to the fuel surcharges since May as jet fuel prices decreased, according to the
carrier, which added that it will continue to review and revise the fuel
surcharges every two weeks.