Airlines surcharges to take off

South Korea’s airlines will impose higher fuel surcharges on international passengers next month due to the rise in jet fuel prices, industry sources said Thursday.

Local airlines did not impose fuel surcharges on long-haul routes from May to September, as the average price of jet fuel remained below the benchmark $1.50 per gallon.

They did, however, add the charges on international routes last month due to the average fuel price surpassing that figure.

Fuel surcharges on international routes will rise by up to 36,000 won ($32.6) in December from the current maximum of 20,400 won for this month, according to airline officials.

The average jet fuel price of $1.70 per gallon, the basis for next month’s fuel surcharges, is up from last month’s $1.63, they said.

Local airlines are usually allowed to impose a fuel surcharge on a monthly basis when the average jet fuel price rises above $1.50 a gallon, though the surcharges vary depending on travel distance.

Yonhap