Hong Kong Airlines announced it is increasing its fuel surcharge from Thursday on its short-haul and long-haul routes, with a maximum increase of HK$150 ($19.17) per one-way ticket.

The surcharge for Chinese mainland routes will rise by HK$5, to HK$190, and for and Taiwan routes will increase by HK$20, to HK$182.

For Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia routes, the fuel surcharge will be increased by HK$50 to HK$212, representing a 31 percent hike.

For long-haul routes, travelers to Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal will be charged an additional HK$100, bringing the surcharge to HK$384; while surcharges on North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa routes will be increased from HK$589 to HK$739.

Because of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, international crude oil prices have jumped significantly. According to media reports, the price of Brent crude surged from below $90 per barrel in early March to over $110 on Sunday evening — the highest level since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another local carrier, Cathay Pacific, said in a written reply that it has an established mechanism in place to review fuel surcharges each month, which primarily takes into account movements in jet fuel prices rather than crude oil prices — together with other relevant operational factors — and makes adjustments where appropriate.

Greater Bay Airlines, a Hong Kong-based carrier that began operating in 2022, said it will review its fuel surcharges in accordance with established procedures, and will announce any adjustments if and when they are made.

Contact the writer at atlasshao@chinadailyhk.com