Singapore Airlines jacks up fees by US$25

Starting today, the carrier will increase its fuel surcharge between US$3 to US$25 due to the sustained escalation in the price of jet fuel in recent months.

In a statement, Singapore Airlines said the increase, which will depend on the distance and class of travel, was prompted by the increase in price of jet fuel, which now stands at above US$95 per barrel.

The increase in the fuel surcharge is the first since June 2008. The last three revisions were to reduce fuel surcharges, in September 2008, November 2008 and February 2009.

The airline said the application of fuel surcharges may be subject to regulatory approval or variation in some individual markets and will offer only partial relief from the higher operating costs arising from increases in the price of jet fuel.

"Singapore Airlines will continue to closely monitor the price of fuel and keep surcharges under constant review," it said.