The Civil Aviation Department today approved a 3% increase in passenger fuel surcharges to be levied by Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines in October, while those charged by Nepal Airlines will stay the same.

The department considered changes in the price of aviation fuel, the justifications provided by the airlines, and other factors like charges levied by other airlines, in considering the applications.

The new maximum surcharge will be $71 for short-haul flights and $328 long-haul, up 3% on current levels for both types of flights, it said, adding local surcharges remain relatively low to those charged abroad.

It said surcharges will be reviewed monthly in future, instead of every two months, to reflect more quickly changes in aviation fuel prices.