NORTHWEST TO INCREASE FUEL SURCHARGE

NORTHWEST TO INCREASE FUEL SURCHARGE    Northwest Airlines Cargo said it will increase its fuel surcharge from 10 cents per kilogram to 15 cents per kilo on all North American origin international shipments beginning on Oct. 15.
   Citing industry sources, Northwest said jet fuel prices closed last week at more than $1 per gallon, roughly 60 cents higher than 18 months ago.
   “No shipper can deny that the fuel cost increase is real, since fuel prices are front-page news around the world. Although this surcharge increase will raise their costs, shippers know that air freight rates are more than 30 percent lower than three years ago,” said Don Cullis, vice president of global sales at Northwest Cargo.
   Northwest is the largest all-cargo operator among U.S. combination airlines, operating a fleet of 10 freighters with 25 transpacific flights per week. Two more freighters will enter service next year.