(Slightly) cheaper flights from Hong Kong as fuel surcharge scrapped
Civil Aviation Department says fee ‘not warranted’ after oil price tumbles
Passengers flying from Hong Kong will no longer have to pay fuel surcharges in a historic cancellation of the levy following the collapse in oil prices.
Marking a boost for Hongkongers and cheaper air travel, the city’s aviation regulator said the fuel levy for passengers on outbound flights was to be scrapped from February 1 as it was no longer necessary.
“In view of the fact that aviation fuel prices in the past months have greatly reduced and stabilised to a reasonable level and that the corresponding fuel surcharges have been greatly reduced, the CAD [Civil Aviation Department] considers that the levying of passenger fuel surcharges is not warranted,” a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
Savings will amount to HK$109 off long haul airfares and HK$24 on regional flights but passengers with tickets booked before February for travel afterwards will not be refunded.
The fuel surcharge has been applied by airlines continuously since 2004 to cover for fluctuations in aviation fuel prices. But the surcharge has steadily fallen from HK$1,164 at its peak four years ago for long haul flights.
READ MORE: Explained: How Hong Kong airfares and world oil prices are linked
Oil prices continued falling yesterday, with Brent Crude dipping below US$28 a barrel. The International Energy Agency warned prices the world could “drown in oversupply” forcing oil prices even lower.