China's top airlines cry foul over high jet fuel prices

China’s three largest airlines have called for the reintroduction of fuel surcharges on domestic routes in response to rising fuel prices, the South China Morning Post reported. The joint application was filed by China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China last Friday to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Wang Jianjun, managing director of China Southern’s finance department, said that because of the price increase, China Southern faced paying RMB2.24 billion (US$327.8 million) more for jet fuel in the second half. Jet fuel prices have risen to almost US$220 a ton this year. Although surcharges could be partially passed on to passengers, calls for their reintroduction was thrown out in January. Analysts said Beijing was concerned that surcharges would undermine the recent upswing in passenger demand.