Ticket prices for flights departing Shenzhen will rise by 3 percent starting Monday to offset the impact of jet fuel price hikes.

The new policy followed an announcement by the national civil aviation authorities allowing airlines to raise the air fuel surcharge by 14 percent up from 11 percent. But the Shenzhen branch of China Southern Airlines said they would not change fares to Xiamen and Nanning and continue to provide discounts for group passengers.

First-class and business fares should be set at 150 percent and 130 percent, respectively, of economy class prices, the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China said. Children and infant fares will be set at 50 percent and 10 percent of the adjusted price.

The increase in the fuel surcharge is needed to compensate for the extra operational costs airlines are facing in the wake of rising international oil prices.

The rise in fuel surcharges will also affect international travel, with fares to be raised on some overseas routes, according to an official with the China International Travel Service.
 
(Shenzhen Daily December 15, 2003)