Several domestic airlines, citing higher fuel costs, said at the weekend they will raise fuel surcharges for international flights, according to today's Shanghai Securities News.

China Southern Airlines, from June 1, will raise one-way fuel surcharge from 600 yuan to 800 yuan ($115.31), and two-way fuel surcharge from 1,200 yuan to 1,600 yuan, with the flights covering the Chinese mainland to Europe, America, Oceania, Africa, and Middle-East routes.

Hainan Airlines also declared it will increase its one-way fuel surcharge to European and American destinations to 800 yuan from 600 yuan from June 1.

Currently, China Eastern Airlines and Air China still abide by the fuel surcharge rule made on January 1, 2008, with Chinese mainland-Asia and Pacific Region routes at 420 yuan, and Chinese mainland to the Oceania, European and American countries, and the Africa at 600 yuan.

Aviation fuel price hikes coincide with US crude oil closing at $132.19 per barrel on May 23, now 100 percent higher than a year ago.

Elsewhere other international airlines have also lifted their fuel surcharge.

(Chinadaily.com.cn May 26, 2008)