Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways will lower its fuel surcharge fees for passenger flights by as much as about 14 per cent from May 16, after a series of increases that began in March.

For long-haul flights, the surcharge will fall from HK$1,560 (US$199) to HK$1,362 per leg of the trip. For shorter journeys, such as those between Hong Kong and South Asia, the rate will drop to HK$633, down from HK$725.

For flights from mainland China to Hong Kong, the surcharge will remain at HK$135, while those going in the opposite direction will also stay at HK$165.

In a statement on Friday, Cathay said: “To enable a more agile response to the volatile jet fuel prices due to the Middle East situation, we continue to review the fuel surcharge every two weeks to better capture jet fuel price movements in either upwards or downward direction.

“This increased frequency is intended as a temporary measure and will be revisited when the Middle East situation stabilises.

“The jet fuel that aircraft use is made by refining [crude oil], and so the price of jet fuel comprises both the crude oil component and the refinery component, both of which have increased significantly since the start of March and remain at highly elevated levels.”