Effective from 31 December, the reduction will be implemented on one-way and return flights from Doha.

“The global economy has been witnessing unprecedented fluctuations in oil prices in recent months,” said Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker in a statement released by the company.

“Due to a significant drop in oil prices, we are able to reduce the fuel surcharge they have been paying by as much as 15 per cent.”

The airline continued to absorb the bulk of any excess costs, he added.

Crude oil prices have fallen from a record high of more than $147 a barrel in July to close to $35 a barrel in mid-December.

A large number of global and Middle Eastern airlines introduced fuel surcharges as prices surged in mid 2008.