(Yicai Global) March 31 -- A number of Chinese carriers, including China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines, will double their fuel surcharges again from April 5 because of surging international oil prices.

Online travel agency Qunar told Yicai Global that it received notices from several airlines saying they will raise the fuel surcharge on domestic routes under 800 kilometers to CNY50 (USD8) from CNY20 and those over 800 km to CNY100 (USD16) from CNY40.

Carriers reintroduced fuel surcharges last November in response to higher oil prices. The additional fees were canceled in January, but reinstated last month. From March 5, they were doubled to CNY20 for routes under 800 km and to CNY40 for planes flying further than that.

Affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the price of jet fuel skyrocketed to CNY7,500 (USD1,180) per ton from CNY4,700 at the beginning of the year, Yicai Global learned.

China’s civil aviation sector has faced setbacks recently due to the cost of oil and the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country. China’s three biggest carriers, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern Airlines, yesterday each reported deeper losses for last year.

Flag carrier Air China saw its loss widen 15.5 percent to CNY16.6 billion (USD2.6 billion) from the previous year, while those at China Eastern and China Southern increased 3.2 percent and 11.6 percent to CNY12.2 billion and CNY12.2 billion, respectively.

All three reported a more than 30 percent jump in jet fuel costs last year, according to their financial statements.

Shares of Air China [SHA: 601111] fell 4.1 percent today to close at CNY9.11 (USD1.44). China Eastern [SHA: 600115] came off 1.3 percent to CNY4.68, while China Southern [SHA: 600029] sank 3.1 percent to CNY6.19. The broader Shanghai market inched 0.4 percent down.

Editor: Futura Costaglione