By Peter John

Several Chinese carriers, including national airline Air China, have announced increases in fuel surcharges on domestic flights starting Sunday, as global oil prices surge following the ongoing Middle East conflict.

In separate statements, China Southern Airlines and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines confirmed that passengers will pay an additional 60 yuan (about $8.70) for flights up to 800 kilometres, and 120 yuan for longer routes.

Budget carriers Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines also announced similar increases.

While the airlines did not directly reference the conflict in their statements, the adjustments come amid a sharp rise in global crude prices, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz—a key artery for global energy supplies.

The conflict has seen oil prices climb significantly, with Brent crude hovering around $100 per barrel following recent military exchanges involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

The instability has triggered concerns over fuel availability and costs across the aviation sector.

International flights will continue to be subject to dynamic pricing mechanisms tied to fuel costs, according to the airlines.

The impact is being felt globally. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific raised its fuel surcharges by 34 percent last month, while major carriers such as Air France-KLM, Air India, Qantas, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have also increased fares to offset rising jet fuel costs.

In addition to higher prices, several airlines have suspended flights to parts of the Middle East due to security concerns, further disrupting global travel.

Industry analysts warn that although many airlines hedge part of their fuel expenses, sustained high oil prices could still erode profit margins if the conflict persists.

China’s aviation sector has been experiencing strong growth, with domestic carriers transporting about 770 million passengers in 2025—a 5.5 percent increase from the previous year.

International travel has rebounded even more sharply, rising by over 21 percent.

According to projections by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, total passenger numbers are expected to reach 810 million, underscoring the scale of demand even as airlines grapple with rising operational costs.

The surcharge increases signal a broader trend across the aviation industry, where carriers are passing on the burden of higher fuel prices to consumers as geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global markets.