THAI approves more fuel surcharge increases
Published: 13/04/2011 at 12:00 AM
Thai Airways International (THAI) is increasing fuel surcharges on international flights starting on Monday in order to reflect soaring fuel prices.
The flag carrier is among several international carriers passing on fuel costs to consumers as jet fuel prices reached a fresh high of US$142 a barrel on the Singapore spot market on Monday.
THAI passengers will pay an extra $5.50 to $38 per flight sector, depending on the distance, on top on the surcharges imposed since Feb 17, said THAI.
The fuel surcharge on THAI's domestic routes remains unchanged because it wants to compete with low-cost carriers.
Flights to Australia and New Zealand will have a surcharge increase of $5.50 to $31 per sector.
But rates on other intercontinental services, including the US, Europe and South Africa, will rise by $31 and $38 a sector, effective May 2.
For instance, the total surcharge on a one-way flight from Bangkok to Los Angeles will reach $200, up from $162 currently, while the surcharge on all of THAI's European flights, such as Bangkok-London, goes up to $166 from $135.
Flights from Bangkok to Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane rise to $122 per leg from $99, while routes to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur increase to $44.50 from $37. Fuel's contribution to the overall cost of full-service airlines like THAI has risen to about 40% from the industry norm of 30%
There is no sign oil prices will stop rising, and airlines have no choice but to pass on the additional cost to consumers, airline executives noted.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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