appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Ralph Jennings

Surging jet fuel prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran are pushing global airlines including Chinese carriers to raise fares, with an industry leader warning that prices could rise by up to 9 per cent if the energy crisis continues.
China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and at least two private Chinese carriers are among a growing list of global airlines that have raised fares since US-Israeli strikes on Iran started on February 28.
Global airfares could rise by 8 to 9 per cent if fuel prices remain high, the International Air Transport Association’s director general estimated earlier this month.
Analysts said the scale of fare increases would vary according to the level of competition on specific routes, with airlines facing less competition likely to introduce bigger rises.
Airlines are raising fares in response to world jet fuel prices, which have climbed 83 per cent since the Iran conflict began.
“They charged more – that is the most straightforward approach,” independent civil aviation analyst Li Hanming said.
Chinese budget carrier Spring Airlines has raised its fuel surcharges by up to 180 yuan (US$26) on flights from China to nearby Asian nations including Japan and Malaysia, according to a route list posted on the company’s website.
Fellow Chinese carrier Juneyao Air has adjusted its fuel surcharge to 600 yuan for China-Indonesia flights, 400 yuan for shorter China-Vietnam flights and 550 yuan on other China-Southeast Asia tickets, Xinhua reported on Wednesday.


Mainland airlines are far from alone in raising prices. Qantas has raised fares by 5 per cent, Air New Zealand has added NZ$90 (US$53) to long-haul tickets, and Hong Kong Airlines has rolled out a 35.2 per cent fuel surcharge, the discount flight portal Air Traveller Club said on March 12.
Cathay Pacific Airways announced a HK$148 (US$19) increase in fuel surcharges on short-haul flights the same day, as well as a HK$615 rise for long-haul routes.
In Europe, Air France-KLM and SAS have raised fares while US carriers United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are doing the same, according to news reports.
Passengers coming and going from China are mostly accepting the higher fares for now, according to Li.
Chinese tourist arrivals in Australia are expected to grow this year despite the higher airfares, said Nick Henderson, Greater China general manager with the promotion agency Tourism Australia.
The body also expected the upwards trajectory to continue “in the years ahead”, he added.
But Li said travel “delays” were starting to show, with reduced tourist bookings for China’s Ching Ming Festival in early April and Labour Day holiday a month later.


As Chinese retirees boost nation’s economy, some hope for greater consumer freedom in society

How China’s mobile-payment overhaul helps foreigners spend money ahead of Apec meeting

More US-China flights? Passengers ready to pack, but US airlines balk at Xi Jinping’s call

Skydiving, whale watching and a burst of bookings as holidays extend for millions in China

China travel

Airfares rise in China and beyond amid Gulf oil shock, with 9% increases feared

Smoke rises above aircraft parked at Dubai International Airport after a drone strike on March 16. The growing conflict in the Middle East is causing global airlines to raise fares amid a spike in jet fuel prices. Photo: AP

If the Iran war takes oil above US$120 a barrel, how bad could the shock get?

Iran launched attacks on Gulf energy sites, including Qatar’s huge Ras Laffan LNG facility (pictured), in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Photo: AFP

As war in Iran roils energy markets, Europe pays price of ‘dependency’

A man refuels his car in a petrol station in Villeneuve d’Ascq, north France, on March 11. Photo: Xinhua

Global EV uptake expected to accelerate as Iran war causes worldwide petrol price hikes

Employees work on an electric vehicle (EV) production line at the Volkswagen Anhui factory in Hefei, Anhui province, China, as the Iran war pushes up petrol prices and global EV uptake is expected to accelerate. Photo: Reuters

Red Sea fix? China-bound oil tankers tap Saudi plan to bypass Strait of Hormuz

This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows the oil infrastructure at Saudi Arabia’s western Red Sea port of Yanbu on March 4, 2026. Photo: AFP

China, Russia discuss boosting transport links as Middle East conflict disrupts shipping

An oil tanker navigates through young Arctic sea ice. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Russia’s 50 Years of Victory nuclear-powered icebreaker at the North Pole in August 2021. Photo: AFP

Economy

China Economy

Global Economy

Business

Surging jet fuel prices are pushing airlines – including several Chinese carriers – to raise fares, with a warning of 9 per cent price rises


Surging jet fuel prices are pushing airlines – including several Chinese carriers – to raise fares, with a warning of 9 per cent price rises.


Airfares rise in China and beyond amid Gulf oil shock, with 9% increases feared

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Surging jet fuel prices are pushing airlines – including several Chinese carriers – to raise fares, with a warning of 9 per cent price rises

Surging jet fuel prices are pushing airlines – including several Chinese carriers – to raise fares, with a warning of 9 per cent price rises