INTERNATIONAL airlines Emirates, KLM Royal Dutch and Korean Air recently petitioned the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for an increase in fuel surcharge by $12-$80 due to projected oil price increases in the world market.Emirates applied for an additional $80 round-trip fee for all passengers flying from the Philippines while KLM wants to collect an additional $30 for its intercontinental flights, $27 for North Atlantic flights and $13 for intra-Europe flights.
Korean Air, meanwhile, wants a $12 increase for all passengers going to Korea from the Philippines, $30 for its US, Canada, Middle East, Oceana and Europe flights, and $12 for trips to China and to the other countries in Asia.CAB said it expects a decision on the petition by September.
Earlier, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and US airline Northwest separately asked the CAB to implement an increase in fuel surcharge this year to cushion them from higher fuel prices.PAL is seeking a $15 hike on fares to the US, Canada and Australia while Northwest wants a $10 passenger fee hike for the Philippines-US route.
If approved, the increase would bring the fuel surcharge on PAL’s long-haul trips to $37 per passenger from the present $22, and for Northwest, from $35 to $45.PAL will keep its fuel surcharge at $16 on Middle East flights and $14 on all other foreign trips. It said the $15 additional surcharge would bring the fuel factor to $65 per barrel, still below actual cost, but would give it some breathing space.Meanwhile, CAB has allowed Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Air Micronesia and Continental Air Micronesia to hike their fuel surcharge, ranging from $2 to $10, from July to October.
