Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration announced on November 2 that national carriers' international passenger fuel surcharges will increase from November 8: short-haul routes will rise from US$37.5 to US$40, and long-haul routes from US$97.5 to US$104. The increase follows a rise in the benchmark international aviation fuel price announced by CPC, from US$177.89 per barrel to US$183.09 per barrel, moving the surcharge from tier 15 to tier 16.
Under the mechanism coordinated by the administration with national carriers in 2005, the benchmark price determines the tier: below US$40 per barrel there is no charge, while the US$40 to under US$50 tier charges US$5 for short-haul and US$13 for long-haul, and each further US$10 rise adds US$2.5 for short-haul and US$6.5 for long-haul. Short-haul covers Asia excluding India and the Middle East, while long-haul covers Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania, Antarctica, India and the Middle East.
The administration said it has required carriers to fully disclose relevant information to protect consumer rights, and asked airlines to disclose background information in an appropriate way, such as the proportion of fuel cost in total cost or the calculation method. Passengers may contact airlines or check their official websites for details.