Jakarta (ANTARA) – The government has officially set the fuel surcharge ceiling at 38 percent in response to the surge in aviation fuel prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.This policy applies to all types of aircraft, both jet and propeller-powered. Previously, the fuel surcharge limit for jets was set at 10 percent, while for propellers it stood at 25 percent.This brings the fuel surcharge increase for jets to 28 percent, while for propellers it brings it to 13 percent.”Previously, it was only 10 percent for jets and 25 percent for propellers, but now both have been adjusted to 38 percent,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated at a press conference on Monday.A fuel surcharge is an additional fee imposed by airlines to cover fluctuations in fuel prices on the global market.The minister explained that several countries have also experienced increases in aviation fuel prices. In Thailand, the price of jet fuel reaches Rp29,518 (US$1.71) per liter and Rp25,326 (US$1.45) per liter in the Philippines.In Indonesia, aviation fuel prices at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport have reached Rp23,551 (US$1.34) per liter.According to Hartarto, the government set this policy as an effort to curb the surge in airline ticket prices amidst the rising aviation fuel prices. The government is targeting domestic airfare increases to remain in the range of 9-13 percent.As previously reported, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, stated that aviation fuel prices sold by Pertamina are still more competitive compared to other countries, particularly in Southeast Asia.”(The price of) Pertamina (fuel) has indeed increased, but compared to aviation fuel prices in other countries, especially our neighbors, we are still much more competitive,” he said on Monday.He explained that aviation fuel prices are tied to global market rates, as Indonesia also serves as a refueling hub for international aircraft entering the country.”Aviation fuel prices are indeed market prices, and because we also serve global aviation fuel refills for aircraft, the market mechanism is in effect,” he added.