Asia's top budget carrier AirAsia has obtained government approval to impose 10 percent surcharges due to rising jet fuel prices, a senior Malaysian minister said today.

"The surcharge is less than 10 percent. It is be imposed on both domestic and regional routes," Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.

Chan said no company could avoid surcharges due to soaring oil prices.

MAS too

Kamarudin Meranum, AirAsia's executive director, told AFP on Tuesday that the carrier would try to put surcharges off as long as it could manage its costs.

"We will resist fuel surcharges. It is a balancing act between profit and serving the interest of our passengers," he said.

Chan said if fuel prices continue to rise, the government may have to consider suggestions from flag carrier Malaysia Airlines to increase its fuel surcharges but for only its regional and international routes.