China's airlines are to increase their international ticket prices by US$ 2.5 per person starting from Monday, in response to the increasing insurance charges handed out to international air services.

International insurance bearers have increased aircraft insurance charges following the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, which have brought many insurance companies to the verge of collapse.

Monday's China Daily said that the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) informed domestic airlines about the decision to increase ticket prices last week.

The price increase will help to bridge the gap of increased insurance fees and operation costs, according to an official with the financial department of CAAC, but the more expensive tickets will affect passengers leaving China to travel abroad, the newspaper reported.

Sources with the three biggest airlines-- Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, confirmed that they will increase international ticket prices by us$ 2.5 staring today.

(Xinhua 10/15/2001)