BEIJING, Jul. 2, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- China Southern Airlines (NYSE:ZNH) (ZNH.NYSE; 01055.HK; 600029.SH) has suspended its jet fuel surcharges on the flight routes between China and Japan as of July 1.

The jet fuel surcharges have earlier been adjusted down largely from 6,000 Japanese yen to 500 yen for flights taking off from Japan on the routes, and the surcharges for flights taking off outside Japan have been adjusted down from 56 US dollars to five US dollars.

Statistics show that the number of Chinese tourists to Japan saw a 100 percent surge in the first five months of this year. Along with Japan accepting visa applications for Chinese individual travelers as of July 1, many Chinese airline companies have announced to suspend jet fuel surcharges on the China-Japan routes to encourage more Chinese civilians to take free tour to Japan.

Shanghai Airlines (600591.SH) also announced to suspend the jet fuel surcharges on the route on July 1.