Cathay Pacific announced on Friday that it will raise its fuel surcharges by up to 41 percent from August following the latest flareup in Middle East hostilities.

The hike will be its first since the war started by the United States and Israel in late February led the airline to charge more for fuel in April.

The surcharge for flights bound for the mainland will go up by 20 percent from HK$165 to HK$198.

As for long-haul flights, including those headed for southwest Pacific, North American, European, Middle Eastern and African destinations, the surcharges will increase by about 41 percent to HK$1,362 from the current HK$965.

Flights between Hong Kong and South Asian subcontinent will also see a 41 percent hike from HK$448 to HK$633, and about the same goes for other flights, which will be going up from HK$241 to HK$339.

The carrier said the surcharges are still lower than the peak levels set earlier this year before they were reduced.

“Following a period of decreasing jet fuel prices since the previous April peak, prices of jet fuel have recently increased due to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East,” according to the airline.

It had reduced fuel surcharges multiple times since May when jet fuel prices dropped in line with de-escalations in the Middle East war.

Cathay said it would continue to review the surcharges every two weeks.



Edited by Altis Wong