so... I sent in a mail to SIA asking them why is the fuel surcharge different between PEK-SIN-PEK and SIN-PEK-SIN.

and their reply:

VIA EMAIL
(xxx@xxx.xxx)

Mr. xxx

13 July 2006

xxxxxxxx/CR/SN

Dear Mr. xxx

Greetings from Singapore Airlines. I hope my email finds you well.

I refer to your email concerning the airport taxes and fuel surcharges as
part of our fare structure. May I take this opportunity to explain that airport
taxes are not in the purview of the airline, but are levied on airlines by
the local airport authority.

Similarly, the fuel charges will differ when tickets for travel routings
are purchased from different countries of origin as fuel charges are subjected
to official regulation and approval in some markets, China notwithstanding. If
I may explain further, the fuel surcharge for travel between Singapore and
China, for a ticket purchased in China is USD 25. However, fuel surcharges for
other sectors, whether purchased in Singapore or other countries may vary from
USD 25 to USD 65, depending on the local regulation and approval, in line with
fuel surcharges imposed by the local national airline as well.

Mr. xxx, thank you for giving me the opportunity to correspond with you. I
hope that our reply has in some way addressed your concerns as well as
reassuring you of the high level of service which we strive to provide. Your custom is
important to Singapore Airlines and we look forward to welcoming you on
board our flights again soon.

Yours sincerely,


Ms. ------------------
----- Customer Services

Great! So they wrote back to me, and tell me that fuel surcharge from different sectors are charged differently; which is why I wrote them the email at the ver beginning!

Look, I am asking how does SIA justify the difference. HOW they justify, and not what they are doing.

I would like to see proof, dude, black and white from different authorities, approvals, etc.

I am paying for it, so I am entitled to know, no??

I just realised that the tax+levy for flight from SIN-PEK-SIN cost $245, while the flight from PEK-SIN-PEK cost only RMB599 (approx $120).

I called SIA's booking hotline but they cannot give an answer, and infact, they are not aware of this, until I told them.

SO I wrote a letter to SIA, lets wait for their reply.

====================
I have a question regarding charges levied while taking your flights.

I am aware that the airport tax in SIN is $21 and PEK is $18.

But I am also aware that in total, a flight from PEK-SIN-PEK on SQ flight, the total levy (including aitport tax), is approximately $120.

Whereas a flight from SIN-PEK-SIN, cost $245.

Why is that so?

I am also aware that there is a difference in fuel price between Singapore and China, but you see, a plane never fills to the brim for that sector of flight, they will only pump the needed amount of fuel, plus some allowance for one sector, and pump again at the other airport for the retun sector.

This effectively means that for e.g., each sector needs 100L of fuel, and 100L cost $100 in Singapore, and $50 in China.

So either way, be it PEK-SIN-PEK or SIN-PEK-SIN, the fuel price for the round trip will cost $150, regardless of fuel price.

So why is there a difference in the fuel surcharge?

I am also aware that the fuel surcharge is levied by SIA, and not the airport authority.

So why is SIA having a double standard in fuel surcharge, that leads to more than 100% of difference between SIN and PEK??

Hope that you can clarify my queries.

Thank you in advance.
================================

anyone can offer me an answer?