A report from Malaysia's Star newspaper gives examples of how
soaring fuel costs are impacting on air fares in certain
instances. They gave two examples: a return ticket to Colombo,
Sri Lanka from Kuala Lumpur costs RM400 but the fuel surcharge is
RM450. Another bargain – a two-night return package to Bangkok
from KL on Thai Airways costs RM399 but the fuel surcharge,
airport tax and insurance will cost an additional RM323. With the
rising demand for oil and hurricanes hitting the United States,
world oil prices are not expected to come down in the near
future. One Malaysian travel agent commented: “It looks like
the days of cheap air travel are over as the high fuel prices are
here to stay.” Another agent said: “Some of the fuel
surcharges are so expensive that they make a mockery of their
special cheap short flights from KLIA to regional destinations
like Jakarta and Bangkok.”