Our reporter Cui Guoqiang
Some domestic airlines have adjusted the fuel surcharge collection standard for domestic routes, that is, starting from March 5 (the date of ticket issuance), the fuel surcharge charging standard for all domestic routes is: 20 yuan for each passenger on routes below 800 kilometers (inclusive) Surcharge, 40 yuan fuel surcharge per passenger on routes over 800 kilometers.
What is the significance of the adjustment of the fuel surcharge collection standard for domestic routes this time to the civil aviation market, especially airlines?
What is the impact on airline passengers?
Reporter conducted an interview.
On June 5, 2018, airlines resumed the collection of fuel surcharges for domestic routes, and have undergone several adjustments since then.
On February 5 this year, fuel surcharges for domestic routes resumed. The standard is 10 yuan per passenger on routes below 800 kilometers (inclusive), and 20 yuan per passenger on routes above 800 kilometers.
Regarding the reasons for the continuous adjustment of fuel surcharge standards for domestic routes, Qi Qi, associate professor of Guangzhou Civil Aviation Vocational and Technical College, analyzed that the fuel surcharge collection mechanism for domestic routes was approved by the relevant ministries and commissions of the state, and aimed to alleviate or hedge the high fluctuations in aviation fuel prices. Airline operating cost pressure.
The fuel surcharge for domestic routes refers to the formation method of the retail price of refined oil in my country, and follows the clear collection mechanism and charging standard approved by the National Development and Reform Commission.
When the aviation fuel price rises and the collection mechanism is activated, airlines will be allowed to resume the collection of fuel surcharges from passengers. The specific charging standards will be charged according to the aviation fuel price in two levels: 800 kilometers (inclusive) below and 800 kilometers above, and regularly based on the aviation fuel price. Volatility goes up or down.
When the aviation fuel price falls back to the agreed price, the collection mechanism will be closed and no fuel surcharge will be charged for domestic routes.
The adjustment of fuel surcharges for domestic routes is related to the recent increase in domestic aviation fuel prices.
International oil prices rose significantly at the end of February as geopolitical tensions continued to ferment.
Qi Qi believes that according to the law of market prices, it is reasonable and reasonable for passengers to share part of the additional cost of fuel increases for airlines by paying fuel surcharges, and it is also a common international practice in the aviation field.
Especially during the new crown pneumonia epidemic, it can alleviate the cost pressure of airlines to a certain extent.
"It is worth noting that the increase in fuel surcharges cannot completely offset the risk of fuel price increases, and airlines need to take multiple measures to increase revenue and reduce expenditure." Qi Qi analyzed.
According to Lin Zhijie, a veteran of civil aviation, fuel costs account for 30% to 40% of the total cost of airlines.
At present, the price of domestic jet fuel has risen by 1,800 yuan per ton, and airlines are under enormous operating pressure. It is estimated that the entire industry will increase the cost by 54 billion yuan throughout the year, which is equivalent to twice the profit of the entire industry before the epidemic.
The current fuel surcharge standard can cover about 30% of the cost increase, and airlines still need to bear the bulk of the increase in oil prices.
Lin Zhijie believes that changes in the collection standards of fuel surcharges will have different impacts on various airlines. For airlines with longer average voyages and higher passenger load factors, the increase in fuel surcharges will have a greater offsetting effect on costs.
For civil aviation passengers, according to the adjustment of the fuel surcharge, the cost of domestic flight travel taxes and fees will start from 70 yuan.
For most routes of more than 800 kilometers, the airport construction fee plus fuel surcharge will reach 90 yuan.
Qi Qi believes that the increase in fuel surcharge this time, the absolute amount of fuel surcharge of 20 yuan or 40 yuan charged to each passenger is not high, and the proportion of the full price of economy class announced by the airline of the corresponding route is not high.
At this stage, the domestic aviation market is in a state of oversupply, and the average sales price of each airline is generally at a low level. The fuel surcharge will not affect the behavior of passengers to purchase air tickets.