Chinese airlines to lower fuel surcharges

BEIJING -- Chinese airlines will cut fuel surcharges for domestic flights due to a decline in fuel prices, the airlines announced Wednesday.

Starting Friday, major airlines, including Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Xiamen Airlines, announced surcharges for domestic routes of 800 km or shorter will be cut to 30 yuan ($4.9) from the current 40 yuan.

The surcharges for routes longer than 800 km will be cut to 60 yuan from 70 yuan, according to the airlines.

It is the fourth time that Chinese airlines cut fuel surcharges since September, said the airlines.

China has cut the retail prices of gasoline and diesel seven times since July as international crude oil prices slid.