Airfares across Asia are rising sharply as airlines impose higher fuel surcharges following volatile oil prices triggered by the Iran war. With more than 43,000 flights cancelled, carriers are rerouting planes to avoid Middle Eastern airspace — pushing ticket prices even higher and raising fears of global aviation disruptions.
By Imran Malik | MediaBites | March 11, 2026
WEBDESK — Source: Bloomberg
Airlines across Asia are sharply raising ticket prices and fuel surcharges as the war involving Iran sends global oil prices swinging, triggering concerns about jet fuel shortages and widespread disruption to international flight routes.
The escalating conflict has injected fresh volatility into global energy markets, pushing aviation fuel costs higher and forcing carriers to pass the burden onto passengers. Airlines say the uncertainty surrounding oil supplies — particularly through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz — is creating serious operational risks for the aviation industry.
Fuel surcharges surge across Asian carriers
Several airlines have already begun increasing surcharges to offset rising fuel expenses.
Hong Kong Airlines has raised fuel surcharges by as much as 35.2 percent, while Air India has introduced phased increases on multiple international routes.
The surcharge hikes vary depending on destination:
Flights to the Middle East have seen increases of about $10 per ticket.
Long-haul flights to Africa are facing additional charges ranging from $30 to $90.
Routes across Southeast Asia are also seeing revised fare structures as fuel prices fluctuate.
Airlines say the measures are necessary to absorb the sudden spike in jet fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions.
Thousands of flights cancelled
The conflict is already causing significant disruptions across the aviation sector.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 43,000 flights scheduled to operate in and out of the Middle East were cancelled between February 28 and March 10, as airlines avoid potential conflict zones.
Many carriers have begun rerouting flights between Asia and Europe to bypass Middle Eastern airspace, increasing travel times and fuel consumption.
Alternative routes drive ticket prices higher
With airlines avoiding traditional air corridors over the Middle East, demand for alternative routes has surged.
These longer routes require more fuel and extended flying hours, significantly raising operating costs for carriers — expenses that are increasingly being passed on to passengers through higher fares and surcharges.
Industry analysts warn that if the conflict escalates further or oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz becomes disrupted, airlines may have little choice but to impose additional fare hikes and reduce flight schedules across key global routes.
For travelers, the impact could mean more expensive tickets and fewer available flights in the months ahead as geopolitical tensions reshape global aviation patterns.
