Originally Posted by
pointsifu
True. But it's a one-way originating from HKG. SFO is a stopover in this particular case. So my question was if the "no YQ law" applies to the ex-HKG flights only or all segments of an itinerary originating from HKG.
While HKCAD says the ban only applies to flights originating from Hong Kong, in reality I think most airlines do not charge YQ for sectors to and from HKG for an Ex-HKG itinerary.
Originally Posted by http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/faq.html#passenger_fuel_surcharge
69. Are airlines allowed to levy the passenger fuel surcharge? Do airlines levy the surcharge for flights to and from Hong Kong?
Passenger fuel surcharges allow airlines to partially recover the increase in operating costs due to the fluctuations in aviation fuel prices. In view that the aviation fuel prices had stabilized to a reasonable level and that the corresponding fuel surcharges had been greatly reduced, CAD considered that levying of passenger fuel surcharges was not warranted. Therefore CAD announced on 20 January 2016 that airlines would not be approved to levy passenger fuel surcharges for one-way or round trip tickets issued from 1 February 2016 onwards for flights originating from Hong Kong.
According to the announcement made by CAD on 10 March 2017 (
CAD announces time-limited resumption of cargo fuel surcharge), the suspension of passenger fuel surcharge should remain unchanged until further decision to be made after a study on the long-term arrangement of fuel surcharge regulation to be conducted by CAD.
Aviation authorities normally do not regulate tariff for services that originate from a location outside their area. CAD has adopted a similar practice in tariff regulation. Only flights originating from Hong Kong are subject to the regulation of CAD and airlines are not allowed to levy any passenger fuel surcharge for these flights originating from Hong Kong. Whether an airline chooses to levy a passenger fuel surcharge for flights to Hong Kong depends on the airline's policy and the practice of the country the flight originates.
If you play with ITA Matrix, you will see from example there is no YQ if you fly HKG-CPH-HKG direct on CX, but there is YQ if you choose HKG-LHR-CPH (LHR-CPH with BA code) and CPH-HKG. Similarly, if you search HKG-MUC return, no YQ for HKG-MUC-HKG direct on LH but YQ if you choose to transit in FRA.