National airlines to increase fuel surcharges by 157%By Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNATaiwan’s national airlines are to raise fuel surcharges by about US$27.50 for short-haul international flights and US$71.50 for long-haul flights starting on Tuesday next week, Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) Director Ho Shu-ping (何淑萍) said today, citing rising international oil prices amid Middle East tensions. Aircraft operated by China Airlines Ltd, Eva Airways Corp and Starlux Airlines Co are pictured at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in an undated photograph. Many national airlines have already raised booking service fees over the past month, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Hung Meng-kai (洪孟楷) said, inquiring about plans to increase fuel surcharges. Fuel prices account for about 40 percent of airlines' operating costs, according to market estimates. If CPC Corp’s fuel prices rise for three consecutive months, domestic ticket prices would increase by an average of NT$97, Ho said.
