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By Sam Garcia / Staff writer, with CNA
Fuel prices for international flights have increased by 122 percent since the war in the Middle East began, leading to about 1.7 percent of flights being canceled next month, data from CPC Corp, Taiwan and the Civil Aviation Administration showed today.
The Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee today invited Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) to present on the government’s response to the war in the Middle East and rising oil prices.
As of April 1, oil prices for international flights had reached US$1.2816 per liter, an increase of 122 percent compared with pre-war levels, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said, citing data from CPC Corp.
Photo: CNA
Oil prices for domestic flights had risen to NT$44.2 per liter, up 116 percent, significantly increasing airlines’ operating costs, the ministry said.
While fuel supply from CPC Corp and Formosa Petrochemical Corp remains normal, some airports in other countries — including Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines — have imposed refueling restrictions, resulting in a sharp increase in fuel costs for airlines, it said.
Airlines are adjusting operations by reducing and consolidating flights to save costs, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Wan Mei-ling (萬美玲) said.
An average of 7.3 flights per week had been canceled this month as of Monday, accounting for about 0.2 percent of total flights, Wan said, citing data from the Civil Aviation Administration.
Cancelations next month have currently risen to 52.6 flights per week, or 1.7 percent of total flights, and flight cancelations in July and August currently average at one flight per week, she said.
These cancelations would have a significant impact on international travel during the upcoming peak season, she said, asking if it could be guaranteed that flights would not be further reduced.
While the ministry cannot mandate airlines to maintain flights, it would monitor their challenges, provide assistance and maintain communication to help minimize reductions, Chen said.
