HONG KONG - Passenger fuel surcharges will be reduced in February, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong said on Tuesday.

The new maximum fuel surcharges will be HK$227 ($29.29) for short-haul flights and HK$908 for long- haul flights, which represent reductions of 1 percent and 7 percent from the current maximum levels for short-haul and long- haul flights respectively.

The applicable surcharge levels are based on the ticket issue date.

Passenger fuel surcharges seek to allow airlines to partially recover the increase in operational costs due to fluctuations in aviation fuel prices.