Three airlines will reduce their fuel surcharges for two months starting in October, but at least one travel agency doesn't expect the move to boost the tourism industry.

A total of six airlines plan to adjust or maintain the passenger fuel surcharge as of Oct 1, according to the Civil Aviation Department (CAD), which noted that half of those airlines will reduce the levy.

It will be the first surcharge reduction in the past year.

After the adjustment, the new maximum level of fuel surcharges will be HK$196 per person per trip for short flights and HK$832 for long ones, down 15 and 10 percent, respectively, from the current costs.

Cathay Pacific Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways and Thai Air Asia are the three airlines that have been granted approval to lower their fuel surcharges.

Two flight operators, Nepal Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines, will maintain their fuel surcharges at HK$540 and HK$470, respectively.

The only airline that will raise the surcharge is All Nippon Airways, but it is also one of the airlines that currently charges one of the lowest surcharges. It will increase the amount to HK$196, up 15 percent.

The CAD said the new surcharges level has struck a balance between the interests of the public and those of airlines.

"Although oil prices have recently come down considerably from historic highs, airlines still have found themselves suffering from the continued high fuel costs in the last eight months," a spokesperson for the CAD said.

The CAD estimated the fuel surcharges will cover just 40 to 70 percent of their additional fuel costs.

The spokesperson said it should be noted that surcharges on local routes were still much lower than international ones.

Meanwhile, the travel industry said the reduction in fuel surcharges will have little influence on people's travel plans.

"We welcome the new adjustment. But as the reduction is not much, it will have limited stimulation on traveling, including during the coming National Day holiday," said Susanna Lau, general manager of Hong Thai Travel Services.

(HK Edition 09/26/2008 page1)