BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 19. Rising jet fuel
prices amid the conflict surrounding Iran have sharply increased
operating costs for global carriers, leading to higher fares, route
cuts, and major schedule disruptions, Trend reports, citing the foreign media.


Leading airlines reported on March 17 that the fuel price spike
- driven by the military involvement of the US, Israel, and Iran -
has severely hit their bottom lines. As a result, companies are
being forced to raise tariffs and optimize their networks.


Delta Air Lines projects an additional $400 million in fuel
expenses for March alone, with American Airlines expecting a
similar $400 million hit in Q1. Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
reported flight reductions due to the "sudden and sharp" rise in
fuel prices, stating that the entire European aviation system is
under intense pressure.


The conflict has destabilized the global aviation grid. The
closure of vast Middle Eastern airspace due to missile and drone
threats has caused widespread cancellations and reroutings.


Since strikes on Iran began, fuel prices have doubled in Europe
and surged by 80% in Asia. Fuel now accounts for up to 25% of
airline operating expenses, second only to labor.







United Airlines noted fare hikes of 15–20% on
numerous routes in just the past week. Thai Airways announced
tariff increases of up to 15%, Cathay Pacific roughly doubled its
fuel surcharges effective March 18, and Air France-KLM is adding
around €50 to round-trip long-haul tickets.


Vietnamese authorities have warned of a potential decline in
flight activity starting in April, following the suspension of fuel
exports from China and Thailand. The United Arab Emirates has
implemented temporary airspace closures, while drone incidents have
disrupted operations at Dubai International Airport. At Frankfurt
Airport, cancellations affected around 86,000 passengers in the
first two weeks, with flight volumes to the Middle East dropping to
roughly one-third of normal levels.


Routes with the highest fuel burn (transatlantic,
transpacific, and Middle East–bound flights) are experiencing the
most significant price jumps, often by tens or even hundreds of
dollars per ticket when fuel surcharges are included.