NWA Cargo, the freight unit of Northwest Airlines, on Wednesday said it will increase its fuel surcharges in certain markets as of May 1, subject to government approvals.

Northwest said international fuel charges will rise to USD$1.05 per kilogram from 95 US cents currently.

In addition, it said westbound trans-Pacific shipments from the US to Shanghai and Guangzhou will be subject to a 25 cent per kilogram surcharge. Domestic surcharges will rise to 42 cents a kilogram from 38 cents now.

Northwest, which plans to merge with Delta Air Lines, on Wednesday posted a quarterly net loss of USD$4.1 billion, partly due to higher fuel charges.