【明報專訊】GLOBAL OIL PRICES are continuing their downward trend. New York crude futures for February delivery have tumbled below US$27 a barrel, a 13-year low. Oil prices have returned to their 2003 levels. In view of this development, the Civil Aviation Department has announced that, as of February 1, airlines will not be allowed to levy fuel surcharges on passengers. However, car petrol prices, which also correlate closely with crude oil prices, have yet to experience a downward adjustment that corresponds with the recent fall in global oil prices. In other words, Hong Kong drivers still have to face high petrol bills even though oil prices are tumbling.