> QANTAS TO INTRODUCE FUEL SURCHARGE > >Qantas said today it would introduce a fuel surcharge on passenger tickets >sold after midnight on 17 May due to a substantial rise in jet fuel prices. > > >The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas Airways, Geoff Dixon, said jet fuel >prices were currently about US$44 a barrel, the highest level for 14 years. > > >"Fuel represented about 15 per cent of Qantas' costs last year, the second >largest cost to the Group after salaries and wages," Mr Dixon said. > > >"The US dollar price of jet fuel today is almost 60 per cent higher than it >was 12 months ago ? US$44 a barrel compared with US$28 a barrel ? and this >has significantly increased the cost to our business." > > >Mr Dixon said the main reasons for the jump in the fuel price were >continuing tensions in the Middle East and strong global demand, >particularly from the United States of America and China. > > >He said the last time Qantas introduced a passenger fuel surcharge was in >late 2000 after jet fuel prices spiked to more than US$43 a barrel in >October 2000 due to surging global demand. > > >The fuel surcharge will be $6 per sector for Qantas Domestic, QantasLink, >Jetstar and domestic New Zealand services and $15 per sector for Qantas >International services and Australian Airlines.