BUSINESS

Chinese Airlines Hike Surcharges on Rising Jet Fuel Prices

Published: Mar. 19, 2026 12:49 a.m. GMT+8

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. said March 17 it would raise surcharges again starting the next day, just a week after a previous increase. Photo: VCG

Chinese airlines are ramping up fuel surcharges as Middle East conflict drives a surge in jet fuel prices, with Hong Kong carriers leading the move and major mainland peers following.

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. said March 17 it would raise surcharges again starting the next day, just a week after a previous increase. Fees on routes to Asian destinations such as Japan and South Korea will rise 36.8% to HK$290 ($37), while surcharges on long-haul routes to North America and Europe will jump 57.5% to HK$1,164.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

Chinese and Hong Kong airlines are raising international fuel surcharges due to rising jet fuel prices driven by Middle East conflict.
Hong Kong Airlines increased surcharges up to 57.5% on some routes; Cathay Pacific and others also announced hikes, with fuel accounting for about a third of airline costs.
As of March 12, global jet fuel prices jumped 11.2% to $175/barrel; ticket prices could rise about 9%, with further surcharge increases expected in April.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Hong Kong Airlines Ltd.: Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. is increasing fuel surcharges on routes due to rising jet fuel prices. As of March 18, surcharges for Asian destinations like Japan and South Korea will increase by 36.8% to HK$290, and for long-haul routes to North America and Europe by 57.5% to HK$1,164. This follows a previous increase a week earlier.

Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. is a Hong Kong-based carrier that has announced increases in fuel surcharges. On some routes, these surcharges more than doubled, effective March 18. This move is in response to a sharp rise in aviation fuel costs, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions.

Hong Kong Express Airways: Hong Kong Express Airways is a Hong Kong-based carrier that announced an increase in fuel surcharges. This decision, made around March 11, reflects the airline's response to the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions. Fuel surcharges are being increased by several airlines to offset higher operating expenses.

Greater Bay Airlines: Greater Bay Airlines, a Hong Kong-based carrier, announced an increase in fuel surcharges around mid-March. This move, similar to other Hong Kong airlines like Cathay Pacific Airways, is in response to the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. is a state-owned Chinese carrier. It has notified some agents of upcoming increases in fuel surcharges. These adjustments are being made in response to rising jet fuel prices, a trend affecting many airlines due to geopolitical tensions.

Hainan Airlines Holding Co. Ltd.: Hainan Airlines Holding Co. Ltd. (海南航空控股股份有限公司) announced on March 17 that it had increased fuel surcharges on some international routes. However, the article does not provide specific details regarding the extent of these increases. This move aligns with a broader trend among airlines to pass on rising jet fuel costs to passengers.

Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd.: Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd. is one of the Chinese airlines that has announced increases in fuel surcharges. This decision comes amidst a broader trend among carriers to pass on rising aviation fuel costs to passengers, driven by geopolitical tensions and surging jet fuel prices. The article indicates these increases are a response to fuel making up a significant portion of airline operating expenses.

Spring Airlines Co. Ltd.: Spring Airlines Co. Ltd. (春秋航空有限公司) is a Chinese airline that has announced increases in fuel surcharges. This move follows a trend among airlines to pass on rising aviation fuel costs, driven by geopolitical tensions, to passengers. This indicates a general expectation of more expensive air travel in the near future.

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd.: Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd. (吉祥航空有限公司) is mentioned among other Chinese carriers increasing fuel surcharges. This decision reflects the sharp rise in aviation fuel costs, primarily driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. By raising fees, Juneyao Airlines and its counterparts aim to offset increased operating expenses and maintain profitability as fuel constitutes a significant portion of airline costs.

Air China Ltd.: Air China Ltd., China's flag carrier, stated on March 17 that it had not issued any notice regarding changes to its fuel surcharges. In the first half of 2025, fuel accounted for 31.1% of Air China's operating costs, and a 5% change in fuel prices would impact its fuel bill by 1.2 billion yuan ($174 million).

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.: China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. (中国东方航空股份有限公司) was contacted for comment regarding fuel surcharge increases but did not respond by the publication's deadline. This comes amidst a trend of Chinese airlines, including major mainland peers, raising fuel surcharges due to surging jet fuel prices driven by Middle East conflict.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

In the first half of 2025：: Fuel accounted for 31.1% of Air China’s operating costs.

As of March 12, 2026：: The global average jet fuel price jumped 11.2% week on week to $175 per barrel, according to S&P Global Energy.

A week before March 17, 2026：: Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd., Hong Kong Express Airways, and Greater Bay Airlines announced similar fuel surcharge increases.

March 17, 2026：: Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. announced it would raise surcharges again starting the next day. Hainan Airlines Holding Co. Ltd. also said it had raised fees on some international routes. Air China Ltd. stated it had not issued any notice of price changes.

March 18, 2026：: Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. implemented new, higher surcharges. Cathay Pacific implemented more than double surcharges on some routes.

Last week in 2026：: Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, stated that higher oil prices could push ticket prices up about 9%.