International Oil Prices Surge: Multiple Airlines' Fuel Surcharges Rise Over 50%, Some Routes Double

Why does the surge in international oil prices cause some airline routes’ surcharge fees to double?

IT Home, March 19 — According to Sina News, several domestic airlines have recently increased their fuel surcharges for international routes, with increases generally exceeding 50%, and some routes even doubling. Against the backdrop of rapidly rising international oil prices, airline cost pressures are accelerating and being passed on to ticket prices.

IT Home notes that Juneyao Airlines announced on March 17 that, due to adjustments in international fuel prices, starting from March 20, 2026 (ticket issuance date), fuel surcharges for routes between China and Southeast Asian countries will be adjusted. The fuel surcharge for China-Vietnam routes will be adjusted to 400 yuan per segment; China-Indonesia routes to 600 yuan; and routes between China and Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and others to 550 yuan.

Xiamen Airlines also announced on March 16 that starting from that day, the fuel surcharge for Indonesia-China routes would be increased from 640,000 Indonesian rupiah to 736,000 rupiah, which is approximately 290 yuan to 330 yuan at current exchange rates, an increase of about 15%.

Spring Airlines had already raised fuel surcharges for some international routes on March 11. The most significant increase was on flights from Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, which doubled from 180 yuan to 360 yuan; routes to Japan also saw a noticeable rise, with flights from Shanghai to Osaka, Fukuoka, and Nagoya increasing from 200 yuan to 312 yuan, an increase of over 50%.

For domestic routes, the next adjustment window for fuel surcharges is April 5. Currently, the standard remains the same as January 5: routes under 800 km charge 10 yuan, and routes over 800 km charge 20 yuan. Industry experts generally expect that as oil prices continue to rise, more airlines will follow suit and increase surcharges, further raising travel costs for passengers.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Express, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines have also increased fuel surcharges, with some routes seeing increases of over 50% or even doubling, indicating that cost pressures are now being fully transmitted across the region.