Hong Kong's Civil Aviation Department (CAD) has approved an 8 pct rise in passenger fuel surcharges levied by Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines.

The two airlines will charge an 84 HK dollars surcharge for short-haul flights and 390 HK dollars for long-haul trips in March. The applicable surcharge levels are based on the ticket issue date, said a report posted on the website of the Hong Kong Administrative Region Government on Monday.

Passenger fuel surcharges, which seek to allow airlines to partially recover the increase in operational costs due to fluctuations in aviation fuel prices, are reviewed regularly by CAD.

The last review was done at the end of January when the maximum surcharge levels approved by CAD were 78 HK dollars for short-haul flights and 362 HK dollars for long-haul flights.