Airfares rise in China and beyond amid Gulf oil shock, with 9% increases feared | South China Morning Post

VirtualRichDream · 2026-03-21T03:17:49+00:00

Surging jet fuel prices due to the US-Israel war on Iran have prompted airlines, including Chinese carriers, to increase fares by up to 9%. The rise in fuel costs, which have surged 83% since February, has led to significant fare hikes across the industry.

VirtualRichDream

2026-03-21 03:17:49

Abstract generation in progress

Surging jet fuel prices amid the US-Israel war on Iran are pushing global airlines including Chinese carriers to raise fares, with an industry leader warning that prices could rise by up to 9 per cent if the energy crisis continues.

China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and at least two private Chinese carriers are among a growing list of global airlines that have raised fares since US-Israeli strikes on Iran started on February 28.

Global airfares could rise by 8 to 9 per cent if fuel prices remain high, the International Air Transport Association’s director general estimated earlier this month.

Analysts said the scale of fare increases would vary according to the level of competition on specific routes, with airlines facing less competition likely to introduce bigger rises.

Airlines are raising fares in response to world jet fuel prices, which have climbed 83 per cent since the Iran conflict began.

“They charged more – that is the most straightforward approach,” independent civil aviation analyst Li Hanming said.

Chinese budget carrier Spring Airlines has raised its fuel surcharges by up to 180 yuan (US$26) on flights from China to nearby Asian nations including Japan and Malaysia, according to a route list posted on the company’s website.

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