Hong Kong's aeronautical authority Thursday approved the passenger fuel surcharges levied by three airlines to be increased or remain at the same level for the period from May 1 to 31, 2010.

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) announced the new maximum levels of fuel surcharges will be 92 HK dollars (11.87 U.S. dollars) for short-haul flights and 434 HK dollars (55.97 U.S. dollars) for long-haul flights, which represent an increase of 14 percent and 16 percent from the current maximum levels respectively.

The applicable surcharge levels are based on the ticket issue date, it added.

Passenger fuel surcharges seek to allow airlines to partially recover the increase in operational costs due to fluctuations in aviation fuel prices.

As the aeronautical authority in Hong Kong, the CAD considers and approves fuel surcharge applications from the airlines in accordance with bilateral Air Services Agreements.

The last review of passenger fuel surcharges was done at the end of March when the maximum surcharge levels approved by the CAD were 81 HK dollars (10.45 U.S. dollars) for short-haul flights and 375 HK dollars (48.39 U.S. dollars) for long-haul flights.