# International aviation fuel surcharge volatility

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/international-aviation-fuel-surcharge-volatility
> Updated: 2026-08-19T00:45:22.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 2.

Aviation fuel surcharges for international flights are experiencing volatility due to shifting oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

In South Korea, airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are set to increase surcharges to stage 21 in September. This follows a 25.4% rise in the average price of Singapore Aviation Fuel, which reached approximately $149.29 per barrel during the July 16 to August 15 calculation period. The rising costs have impacted airline profitability; Korean Air reported a 34.4% drop in operating profit despite record revenue, while low-cost carriers like Jeju Air have reported widening operating losses. For Korean Air, long-haul routes to the Americas could see round-trip increases of approximately 190,000 won, while Asiana Airlines' one-way surcharges are expected to range from 52,000 to 291,000 won.

Conversely, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Transocean Air (JTA) have applied to reduce fuel surcharges for international tickets issued between September and October 2026. For routes to Europe and the Americas, JAL proposes a 30,000 yen reduction compared to the July-August period, bringing the round-trip surcharge to 100,000 yen. Hawaii round-trip surcharges are also expected to decrease by 19,000 yen to 61,800 yen. These reductions are supported by government emergency measures intended to mitigate the impact of Middle East tensions.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-19: Japan Airlines to reduce fuel surcharges for September-October flights

Japan Airlines is reducing international fuel surcharges for September-October 2026, while Moving Co. pilots an EC return service at cleaning stores and Tokyo Shoseki integrates digital learning systems.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-airlines-to-reduce-fuel-surcharges-for-september-october-2026

### 2026-08-18: International flight fuel surcharges to rise in September

International flight fuel surcharges will rise in September to stage 21 due to surging oil prices linked to Middle East tensions, increasing costs for long-haul travelers.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-flight-fuel-surcharges-to-rise-in-september

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Cite as: International aviation fuel surcharge volatility. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/international-aviation-fuel-surcharge-volatility