Central News Agency (CNA) - As aviation fuel prices have recently fallen, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announced today that the fuel surcharge for international routes of domestic airlines will be reduced starting July 7. The surcharge for short-haul routes will decrease to US$27.5 (approximately NT$884), and for long-haul routes to US$71.5 (approximately NT$2299). The Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, stated in a press release that to appropriately protect consumer rights, a mechanism for adjusting the passenger fuel surcharge for domestic airlines was coordinated in 2005. The benchmark for collection is based on CPC Corporation's announced international aviation fuel price per barrel. A price below US$40 (approximately NT$1286) falls into the first tier with no charge. From US$40 to less than US$50 (approximately NT$1608) is the second tier where charges begin: US$5 (approximately NT$160) for short-haul routes and US$13 (approximately NT$418) for long-haul routes. For every US$10 (approximately NT$321) increase in oil prices, the surcharge increases by US$2.5 (approximately NT$80) for short-haul routes and US$6.5 (approximately NT$209) for long-haul routes. The CAA indicated that according to CPC Corporation's announced international aviation fuel price today, which has been reduced from US$160.1 per barrel (approximately NT$5148) to US$133.29 (approximately NT$4285), the applicable tier has dropped from the 14th to the 11th. Consequently, the international passenger fuel surcharge for domestic airlines will be reduced from US$35 (approximately NT$1125) to US$27.5 for short-haul routes, and from US$91 (approximately NT$2926) to US$71.5 for long-haul routes, effective July 7. The CAA has requested airlines to disclose relevant background information in an appropriate manner, such as the proportion of fuel costs to total costs or the calculation method, to alleviate consumer concerns. Passengers can also in