Japan Airlines to increase International Passenger Fare Fuel Surcharges

The JAL Group today requested approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), to extend and increase the fuel surcharge placed on all international passenger tickets issued on or after March 1st, 2006. JAL introduced the fuel surcharge in February 2005 in response to rises in the cost of fuel. Since then continued fuel cost increases have led JAL to review the amount of fuel surcharge levied.

The surcharge applies to flights operated by Japan Airlines and its international subsidiaries JALways and Japan Asia Airways including JAL code-share flights operated by other airlines, and will remain in effect until September 30, 2006. However, the revised surcharge will be reduced once the price of Singapore kerosene falls below the benchmark of US$65 per barrel within one consecutive month period. The surcharge will be progressively reduced as the price of fuel decreases, and will be cancelled completely when and if the price of Singapore kerosene falls below the benchmark of US$40 per barrel within one consecutive month period.

JAL expects high fuel prices to continue into the future. JAL has estimated that its fuel bill in fiscal year (FY) 2005 will be 90 billion yen higher than that of FY2004, and in FY2006 will be 130-140 billion yen higher than that of FY2004.

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