Ten airlines add extra charges as jet fuel crisis gets worse
The International Air Transport Association has recorded a
doubling of jet fuel prices compared to this time last year, with a
large number of airlines bumping up fees in a bid to limit losses.
Ten airlines have announced that they're raising fees to cope
with rapidly rising jet fuel prices.
The attacks on Iran launched by Israel and the US, and the subsequent
blockading of the Strait of Hormuz, have caused the cost of oil to
shoot up globally.
The International Air Transport Association has recorded a doubling of
jet fuel prices compared to this time last year. The impact of such
rises on airlines is significant. Jet fuel typically accounts for 20 to
30% of an airline's outgoings, according to Open Airlines.
Many airlines have cancelled flights in the wake of the war, in a bid
to consolidate their losses. Others have raised various fees. Below is
a list of ten of the biggest airlines that have gone down this route.
Ten
airlines that have raised fees
Japan Airlines
One of Asia’s biggest airlines, Japan has almost doubled its fuel
surcharge for new tickets, The Independent reports. This means a
London–Tokyo ticket now carries an extra fee of 56,000 yen $300) each
way. The airline has blamed “fuel market prices reaching levels that
far exceed initial expectations.”
China Eastern Airlines
The airline raised fuel surcharges for domestic flights from April 5,
with flights of 800 km and below hit with a 60 yuan ($10) surcharge, as
well as a $20 yuan surcharge for flights over 800 km.
Cathay Pacific
The Hong Kong airline has raised its fuel surcharges significantly,
although by different amounts on its different routes. The full list of
rises can be found on its website. "Fuel accounted for approximately
30% of Cathay Pacific’s total operating costs in 2025 and is critical
to our operations," the airline noted in a statement.
Alaska Airlines
Fees will be increased for the first checked bag by $5 and by $10 for
the second on the US airline's North American flights. It has also
raised prices for a third checked bag from $50 to $200.
American Airlines
One of the biggest airlines in the world, American's decision to raise
checked bag fees by $10 each for the first and second checked bags and
by $150 for the third checked bag on all domestic and short-haul
international flights will impact a huge number of passengers.
Delta Airlines
Another major international airline, Delta is going to raise fees for
checked bags. It will increase fees by $10 on first and second checked
bags and a $50 increase on the third.
Hong Kong Airlines
Fuel surcharges have been bumped up by up to 35% as of March 12.
IndiGo
The biggest airline in India introduced fuel charges on domestic and
international flights on March 14. These included a charge of 900
rupees ($10) for flights to the Middle East and a charge of ($25) 2,300
rupees for flights to Europe.
JetBlue
Another US airline that is raising fees on its baggage. Baggage prices
will rise by either $4 or $9.
Pakistan International
Airlines
Domestic flight fares are to be raised by between $20 and $85 on
international fares.
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