International oil price increases have caused international flight ticket fuel surcharges to skyrocket, increasing the burden on travelers.

Due to the rise in international oil prices and exchange rates, the fuel surcharge for international flights will sharply increase starting in April, and ticket prices are expected to rise significantly.

This price increase is caused by recent political instability in the Middle East, which has led to a surge in international oil prices. According to Singapore Airlines’ average fuel price, the April fuel surcharge will be at level 18 out of 33, jumping 12 levels from last month. This is the largest increase since the fuel surcharge system was introduced in 2016.

Domestic airlines have also significantly raised their fuel surcharges. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will charge a minimum of 42,000 KRW to a maximum of 303,000 KRW and 251,900 KRW, respectively, based on distance and one-way fares. Low-cost carriers Jeju Air and Eastar Jet, which charge fuel surcharges in USD, have also increased to $25 to $76 and $29 to $68, respectively.

In this situation, the airline industry recommends completing ticket purchases during March, when lower fuel surcharges apply. Since fuel surcharges are based on the ticket issuance date, even if oil prices rise, there will be no additional charges. However, experts note that a further decline in oil prices due to Middle East tensions cannot be ruled out, so caution is advised when purchasing tickets.

Future increases in fuel surcharges are expected to raise transportation costs, imposing a significant burden on travelers. Therefore, if the current unstable international situation persists long-term, other economic impacts on the entire tourism industry should also be considered.