Chinese airlines will scrap fuel surcharges on domestic flights from tomorrow, in a move which will likely see other airlines follow suit.

Air China Ltd, China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd , China Southern Airlines Co Ltd are among the major carriers ditching the fuel surcharge according to Civil Aviation Administration of China.

 Xiamen Airlines and Lucky Air are also reportedly ending fuel surcharges from Thursday, and online travel agency Ctrip expects other rival carriers to do the same.

This is the first time surcharges have been cut since 2009.

Airlines have reduced surcharges for five months in a row as oil prices have halved since the summer.

Aviation fuel is now priced at 3,782 yuan (US$604) per ton, which is below the threshold of 4,140 yuan (US$662) that is used to start levying surcharges, a report by Xinhua says.

However Chinese travellers will find little benefit initially if planning a Chinese New Year trip.

Ctrip says the few remaining seats left for the holiday period have surged in price with the cheapest fares between Beijing and Shanghai having risen over 60%.
 

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