Hong Kong will allow 53 airlines to extend or raise passenger fuel surcharges by up to 10.7 percent beginning in December to help to offset high fuel prices.

The Civil Aviation Department said on Wednesday it had approved applications from 53 airlines as at Nov. 29, requesting an extension or an increase in fuel surcharges for December and January.

The increases range from unchanged to 10.7 percent, compared with the previous surcharge for the two months ending in November.

(Chinadaily.com December 1, 2005)