MALAYSIA AIRLINES HIT BY FUEL COST, JAPAN’S CRISIS

Malaysia Airlines says soaring jet fuel price and Japan’s catastrophe will have a “negative impact” on its operations but stops short of saying if it will suffer a loss in the first quarter. Managing Director Azmil Zahruddin says the carrier has raised fuel surcharges by more than 10% since late 2010 and may increase further if fuel costs continues to soar. It has hedged 25% of its fuel needs this year at about $90 a barrel.