Domestic air passengers in China will have to pay an extra 30 to 40 yuan (3.75 to 5 U.S. dollars) in surcharges to cover the rising costs of fuel from September 1.

In the second price hike approved by the State Council this year,domestic carriers are to raise the short-haul fuel surcharge 60 yuan, a rise of 30 yuan, while the long-haul surcharge goes up to 100 yuan, a rise of 40 yuan.

Travelers who have already booked tickets for next month will be exempted, as are infants, while children, disabled service personnel and police can enjoy a discount of 50 percent, said a circular jointly issued by the National Development and Reform Commission and the General Administration of Civil Aviation.

Chinese airlines were allowed to raise the surcharge by 50 percent, or 10 yuan for short-haul flights and 15 yuan for long-haul when the price for jet fuel surged by 60 percent in May.

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)