BUSINESS

Chinese Airlines to Hike Fuel Surcharges as Iran War Fallout Hits Home

Published: Apr. 1, 2026 4:53 p.m. GMT+8

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The sharp increase underscores the broad economic fallout of the conflict, adding pressure to a civil aviation industry already struggling to turn passenger traffic into profit. Photo: VCG

Chinese airlines will significantly raise fuel surcharges for domestic flights starting April 5 as the ongoing war in the Middle East continues to drive up global aviation fuel costs.

The sharp increase underscores the broad economic fallout of the conflict, adding pressure to a civil aviation industry already struggling to turn passenger traffic into profit.

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Chinese airlines raise domestic flight fuel surcharges from April 5: ≤800km from 10 to 60 yuan/adult; >800km from 20 to 120 yuan.
Triggered by Middle East war (U.S., Israel, Iran from Feb. 28); global jet fuel up 96.4% to $195.2/barrel; domestic kerosene to 9,802 yuan/ton.
Follows international hikes; below 2022 record; airlines unprofitable amid competition.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd.: Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd. will raise domestic fuel surcharges starting April 5: 60 yuan per adult for flights ≤800km (up from 10 yuan), 120 yuan for longer flights (up from 20 yuan). It also increased international surcharges in mid-March amid surging jet fuel costs.

China United Airlines Co. Ltd.: China United Airlines Co. Ltd. announced plans to raise domestic flight fuel surcharges starting April 5: from 10 yuan to 60 yuan per adult for flights ≤800 km, and from 20 yuan to 120 yuan for longer flights, due to surging aviation fuel costs from the Middle East war.

China Petroleum and Chemical Corp.: China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (600028.SH) raised the ex-factory price of aviation kerosene supplied to China National Aviation Fuel Group Ltd. by 4,180 yuan to 9,802 yuan a ton on Wednesday, amid surging domestic fuel prices driven by the Middle East war. (Source: OilChem data)

China National Aviation Fuel Group Ltd.: China National Aviation Fuel Group Ltd. received a price hike for aviation kerosene from China Petroleum and Chemical Corp. (600028.SH), increasing by 4,180 yuan to 9,802 yuan per ton on Wednesday, per OilChem data. This contributes to surging domestic fuel costs amid Middle East conflict.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.: China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. (600115.SH), one of China’s three largest state-owned airlines, raised fuel surcharges on international flights as of mid-March amid surging global jet fuel prices from the Middle East war.

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600029.SH), one of China's three largest state-owned airlines, raised fuel surcharges on international flights as of mid-March amid surging jet fuel prices from the Middle East war. Domestic hikes by other carriers follow, but it struggles with profitability. (48 words)

Spring Airlines Co. Ltd.: Spring Airlines Co. Ltd. (601021.SH), a smaller Chinese carrier, raised fuel surcharges on international flights as of mid-March amid surging jet fuel prices from the Middle East war. It was not listed among announcers of the April 5 domestic surcharge hikes.

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd.: Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd. (603885.SH) raised fuel surcharges on international flights as of mid-March, amid surging global jet fuel prices due to the Middle East war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

China Merchants Securities Co. Ltd.: Analysts at China Merchants Securities Co. Ltd. said in a March 18 report that higher fuel surcharges may cushion costs from the Middle East crisis but are unreliable for protecting airline profits, as passing them to consumers could dampen travel demand if ticket prices rise too much.

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