Airlines across Asia and Europe are raising ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges as operating costs are pushed higher by sharp fluctuations in global oil prices due to the ongoing war in Iran.
Airlines are also grappling with major disruptions to flight routes through the Middle East. With many carriers avoiding the region due to safety concerns, demand for longer alternative routes has increased, causing ticket prices to rise. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 43,000 flights to and from the Middle East were canceled between February 28 and March 10, news agency Bloomberg reported.
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Several airlines have already announced fare hikes or additional surcharges to offset rising fuel costs:
airasia
Low-cost carrier AirAsia said it had increased fares and adjusted fuel surcharges, although it did not specify the exact increase. The airline said it will continue to monitor market conditions and make further changes if necessary.
air india
India’s Air India and Air India Express will impose fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flights from March 12. Passengers on domestic and short distance regional routes will have to pay extra ₹Fees will rise from $40 to $60 for flights to Southeast Asia and $90 for Africa routes, the report said. Starting March 18, the surcharge for flights to Europe will increase to $125, while passengers traveling to North America and Australia will have to pay $200.
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air new zealand
New Zealand’s national carrier Air New Zealand has confirmed that ticket prices will rise, warning that further adjustments to fares, schedules and routes could be made if fuel prices remain high. The airline also suspended its earnings forecast, saying that previous assumptions about fuel prices were no longer credible.
Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific also plans to double passenger fuel surcharges from March 18. On long-haul flights, fees will rise from HK$569 to HK$1,164, with similar increases expected on short- and medium-haul routes, the report said.
Finnair
Meanwhile, Finnair has canceled all flights to Doha and Dubai until the end of March and said fuel cost fluctuations will be factored directly into ticket prices rather than a separate surcharge.
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spicejet
Budget airline SpiceJet warned that carriers will have little choice but to impose additional fuel surcharges if oil prices remain high. Founder Ajay Singh said the government should consider reducing jet fuel taxes, cautioning that oil prices even around $90 a barrel could be unsustainable for airlines.
japan airlines
Meanwhile, Japan Airlines said it currently has no plans to extend its scheduled surcharge revision past April 1.
Other carriers that have announced fare increases or temporary fuel-related adjustments include: Hong Kong Airlines, Qantas, Thai Airways, SAS Scandinavian Airlines And Norse Atlantic AirwaysThe report said.
