TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's three major airlines announced on Tuesday (May 5) that they will freeze passenger fuel surcharges for May amid rising international oil prices. EVA Air (長榮航空), Starlux Airlines (星宇航空) and China Airlines (中華航空) stated that they will maintain April rates despite increasing fuel costs.
EVA Air and Starlux Airlines confirmed that they will charge US$45 (NT$1,425) per segment for short-haul flights, including routes to Hong Kong, and US$117 (NT$3,705) for long-haul flights. Taiwan's CPC Corporation (台灣中油公司) reported an average jet fuel price of US$208.78 per barrel for May, with a base price of US$40 per barrel. EVA Air stated that it will absorb 85% of the increased fuel cost for long-haul passengers and 66% for short-haul passengers, up from 65% in April.
Starlux Airlines said it will absorb 66% of the increased fuel cost for long-haul passengers and 43% for short-haul passengers, with both figures rising slightly from April. CPC Corporation's data showed that the average jet fuel price has remained above US$200 per barrel for two consecutive months, not yet triggering the US$210 threshold that would require additional surcharge increases.
The airlines base their surcharge adjustments on CPC Corporation's international jet fuel pricing formula: a US$10 increase per barrel results in a US$2.50 hike for short-haul surcharges and a US$6.50 hike for long-haul surcharges. China Airlines has not yet announced its specific absorption rates for May. ◼