In response to the worsening fuel crisis triggered by tensions in the Middle East, two additional airlines have been compelled to hike their ticket prices.
The air travel sector has faced significant disruptions due to flight cancellations and a notable surge in jet fuel costs following the initiation of US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026. The situation was exacerbated by Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway for around 20% of global oil and gas transportation, leading to a worldwide fuel shortage.
As a consequence, airlines have been grappling with escalating jet fuel expenses, resulting in the necessity to increase ticket prices. Air France and KLM, both subsidiaries of the same parent company Air France–KLM, have recently confirmed price hikes as a direct outcome of these challenges.
These airlines had previously introduced a surcharge last month to mitigate the rising jet fuel costs. Initially, economy fares were raised by an additional €50 (£43.47) for a round trip.
With the latest announcement of another increase, travelers embarking on a long-haul round trip with Air France or KLM could be subject to an extra €50 charge, bringing the fuel surcharge to €100 (£86.98) on top of the standard fare. Additionally, flights to destinations like the United States, Canada, and Mexico might see an increase of €70 (£60.89), with an economy round trip potentially costing an additional €10 (£8.70).
It is not just Air France and KLM that have raised prices amid the ongoing fuel crisis. Recent reports revealed that Virgin Atlantic has also implemented increases in flight costs, including an extra £50 fuel surcharge on economy-class tickets, while premium economy fares have surged by £180 and business class fares by £360.
Corneel Koster, the Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic, cautioned passengers about potential further price escalations in the upcoming months and possibly for the remainder of the year. He emphasized the unprecedented levels of jet fuel prices, stating that airlines cannot sustain such high operating costs.
Koster suggested that if fuel prices continue to rise, surcharges might also increase accordingly. He advised travelers to be mindful of booking timing, as higher surcharges may apply if fuel costs surge rapidly.
Although there are currently no fuel shortages, Koster acknowledged the uncertainty regarding future supplies. He reassured that the airline has contractual agreements with multiple suppliers, ensuring a diverse range of jet fuel sources to meet demand.
In addition to price hikes, some airlines like JetBlue have decided to raise luggage fees in an effort to counterbalance the soaring fuel expenses. Bag fees for off-peak economy fares are expected to rise by $4 (£2.95), reaching $39 (£28.79), while peak economy fares could incur a $49 (£36.17) charge.
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