The leading German airline, Lufthansa, unveiled Wednesday an increase in fuel surcharges for most passenger flights owing to higher oil prices. Passengers are to be charged an extra three euros (4.2 dollars), bringing the total surcharge to 24 euros for flights within Germany and Europe but also to North Africa, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel, a Lufthansa statement said.
That would in fact reduce the cost to some of the latter destinations, it added. Tickets booked from July 2 would include the higher charge. "Prices of crude oil have risen by more than 50 per cent since December 2009, resulting in higher fuel procurement costs," Lufthansa said. Surcharges on other intercontinental flights, which have stood at 82 euros, will now vary according to destination, it added.
The most expensive charge, 92 euros, would apply to flights to Central and South America, Sub-Saharan and West Africa and east Asia. Service to East Africa and the Middle East would benefit however from a decrease to 77 euros. Lufthansa said Tuesday it had raised its forecast for fuel expenses this year to 3.55 billion euros from 3.4 billion previously.