South Korean airlines are set to impose their highest-ever fuel surcharges on flights booked in May, as a surge in global oil prices driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East pushes costs sharply higher, industry sources said on April 16.
Carriers calculate monthly surcharges using the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), a regional benchmark for refined fuel products, which averaged $214.71 per barrel between March 16 and April 15, South Korean media reports.
That places May pricing in the top-tier Level 33 bracket under the current system.
The increase marks a sharp jump from April’s Level 18 and represents the steepest month-on-month rise since the surcharge framework was introduced in 2016. It is also the first time the highest tier has been applied.
Fuel surcharges — added to ticket prices to offset volatility in jet fuel costs — are adjusted monthly under a government-guided, distance-based pricing scheme, and apply based on the ticket issuance date.
Korean Air, the country’s largest full-service carrier, said its international one-way surcharge will rise to between 75,000 won ($51.00) and 564,000 won ($383.52) in May, compared with 42,000 won ($28.56) to 303,000 won ($206.04) in April.
On long-haul routes including New York, Paris and London, the surcharge will climb about 86% to 564,000 won ($383.52).
Asiana Airlines and budget carriers such as Jeju Air are expected to unveil similar adjustments in the coming days.
Industry officials said the looming increase could trigger a near-term spike in ticket purchases, as travellers seek to lock in lower surcharges before the higher rates take effect in May.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
