Flying in China just got a little cheaper
Next time you hop on one of these across China, your wallet might feel a bit heavier. No worries, they won't charge you overage for that.Although it won’t help on your next flight from Shanghai to Bangkok, if you’re looking to fly within China, the Chinese government might have just put some cash back in your pocket as it announces a plan to reduce domestic airline’s jet fuel surcharges on flights within China starting in April.
As the government reduces its fees, it's hoping the airlines will pass the savings on to consumers.
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"As passengers face growing inflationary pressure, the move is expected to result in a cut in fuel surcharges imposed on passengers by airlines," said Li Lei, an analyst at China Securities Co. to state media.
Currently Chinese carriers impose the fuel surcharges when jet fuel cost hits RMB 4,140. For those who fly a lot, it might seem like you get with those fees just about every trip. Major domestic airlines such as Air China and China Eastern Airlines recently raised their charges to more than RMB 90 a person for longer domestic routes.
Although no one is exactly sure how much the adjustment from the National Development and Reform Commission charge will affect consumers, for frequent fliers every little bit helps.
Getting out of China might have also gotten a bit easier (even if not cheaper) as Spring Airlines announces it will re-instate its flight to Japan starting this Friday, April 1. The budget carrier stopped flights in response to the 2011 Japan earthquake.
The Shanghai-based carrier will fly twice weekly from Shanghai to Ibaraki airport, instead of its previous three times, according to a company press release.
Additionally, China Eastern Airlines, one of the country’s largest air carriers announced that will add five weekly flights linking Shanghai with Sydney and Melbourne, Australia starting in late June, according to Shanghai Daily.
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Come summer, the Shanghai-based carrier will fly daily from to Sydney and every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to Melbourne.
If you decide to hop on one of the Sydney flights, check out the new CNNGo Sydney page before you fly.
