HONG KONG - The Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong Friday approved the passenger fuel surcharges for the period in February.

The new maximum surcharges will be HK$225 ($29) for short-haul flights and HK$929 for long-haul flights, representing increases of 3 percent and 2 percent from the current levels for short-haul and long-haul flights respectively.

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

The surcharges are reviewed on a monthly basis. In last month's review, the maximum surcharge levels approved by the department were HK$218 for short-haul flights and HK$915 for long-haul flights.