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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