A total of 16 airlines, including three from the Chinese mainland are permitted for additional three-month extension of fuel surcharge levies that expires on November 30, announced the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department Friday.

Of those airlines, 11 were also granted to increase the fuel levies from the present US$4-10 for each passenger to US$7-19. The 11 airlines include Cathay Pacific Airline, Air China, China Eastern and China Southern airlines, as well as some other airlines, said the department.

The department had granted a number of airlines to levy the additional fuel charges from May 31 to August 31 at the end of May.

(Xinhua News Agency August 16, 2004)