Domestic air passengers will have to pay an extra 30 to 40 yuan (US$3.75 to 5) in surcharges from September 1 to cover the rising costs of fuel.

In the second price hike approved by the State Council this year, domestic carriers are to raise the short-haul fuel surcharge to 60 yuan from the current 30 yuan, while the long-haul surcharge is go up to 100 yuan, from the current 60 yuan.

Travelers who have already booked tickets for next month will be exempted, as are infants, while children, disabled service personnel and police will be given a 50 percent discount, according to a circular jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the General Administration of Civil Aviation.

Chinese airlines were allowed to raise the surcharge by 50 percent, or 10 yuan for short-haul flights and 15 yuan for long-haul services when the jet fuel prices surged by 60 percent in May.

(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2006)