【Flight Ticket Price Increase】One Article to Clarify Airlines' Latest Fuel Surcharges for 2026 - Which is Cheapest Among Cathay Pacific/HK Express/Hong Kong Airlines? (Continuously Updated)

Iranian tensions continue to escalate, and the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil transportation, remains closed, causing international oil prices to stay high. This has directly led several airlines to increase fuel surcharges. Hong Kong Airlines was the first to raise fuel surcharges on Thursday (12th), followed by several other airlines, meaning passengers will face higher costs when purchasing tickets for travel abroad.

Cathay Pacific to Fully Increase Fuel Surcharge Starting March 18

Cathay Pacific (00293) will officially adjust its passenger fuel surcharge from March 18, 2026. The airline stated that due to recent developments in the Middle East, the price of aviation fuel has nearly doubled since March. Under the current mechanism, the new surcharge rates will be:

• Long-haul flights: from $569 to $1,164 (an increase of 105%), applicable to flights between Hong Kong and the Southwest Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
• Medium-haul flights: from $264 to $541 (an increase of 105%), applicable to flights between Hong Kong and South Asia
• Short-haul flights: from $142 to $290 (an increase of 104%), applicable to other routes not mentioned above (covering most Asian routes, including Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)

Cathay Pacific added that it will regularly review the fuel surcharge levels and closely monitor fuel price trends for appropriate adjustments.

Hong Kong Express to Increase Fuel Surcharge Starting March 18, Including Japan, Korea, Thailand Routes

Hong Kong Express will also raise its fuel surcharge from March 18 for flights departing from Hong Kong outside Mainland China and other regions, with routes to Japan, Korea, and Thailand increasing from HKD 140 to HKD 290.

Hong Kong Airlines announced on March 12 that it has already adjusted its fuel surcharge

Hong Kong Airlines announced that starting March 12, it will adjust its passenger fuel surcharge. Both short-haul and long-haul routes are affected. For popular destinations among Hong Kong travelers, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Southeast Asia, the short-haul surcharge will increase from HKD 162 to HKD 212, adding HKD 50 per one-way trip (HKD 100 round-trip). For long-haul routes, each flight will add HKD 150, meaning travelers purchasing round-trip tickets will pay an extra HKD 300 just for fuel surcharges.

Greater Bay Area Airlines to Raise Fuel Surcharge Next Wednesday

Greater Bay Area Airlines announced that starting next Wednesday (March 18), it will adjust its passenger fuel surcharge. For flights departing from Hong Kong, except those to Mainland China and the Maldives, the surcharge will increase from HKD 142 to HKD 290, more than doubling. The surcharge for flights to Mainland China remains at HKD 165; flights to the Maldives will increase from HKD 284 to HKD 541, about 90% rise.

Fuel surcharges vary by route and local currency depending on departure location.

AirAsia Asia has increased its fuel surcharge but has not announced the amount

AirAsia Asia stated that it raised its fuel surcharge on Thursday (12th), but did not disclose the increase amount, saying it will continue to monitor market conditions for future adjustments.

Air India to Phase Increases for Domestic and International Fuel Surcharges

Air India announced on Wednesday (11th) that it will gradually increase fuel surcharges for domestic and international flights. Details for flights to and from Hong Kong will be announced later.

Japan Airlines (JAL) reportedly has no plans to raise fuel surcharges before April 1

Bloomberg reported that Japan Airlines (JAL) has no plans to increase fuel surcharges before April 1.

Starlux, China Airlines, and EVA Air are evaluating whether to raise fuel surcharges

Starlux Airlines, China Airlines, and EVA Air stated they will continue to observe fuel price changes and assess whether adjustments to fuel surcharges are necessary.