Fuel Costs Surge, Japanese Airline Tickets to Follow Suit from June 2026

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) will raise fuel surcharges for international routes starting from June 2026. This policy is likely to increase the total travel costs for passengers, although base ticket prices remain unchanged. According to detikTravel, the increase is triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region, which have led to a surge in global oil prices. Fuel surcharges are a component outside the ticket fare imposed by airlines to anticipate fluctuations in energy prices. The amount of the surcharge is announced every two months. It is calculated based on the average price of kerosene in the Singapore market and the yen exchange rate against the US dollar. Data for February and March shows that the fuel surcharge for flights from Japan to Europe, America, and Oceania is estimated to reach 55,000 yen (Rp 5.7 million) at ANA and 50,000 yen (Rp 5.3 million) at JAL. Currently, the surcharges at both airlines are 31,900 yen (Rp 3.4 million) and 29,000 yen (Rp 3 million), respectively. Short-haul routes are also affected. For example, flights to China and Taiwan will rise from 9,400 yen (Rp 1 million) to 14,300 yen (Rp 1.5 million) at ANA and from 7,400 yen (Rp 790,000) to 12,400 yen (Rp 1.3 million) at JAL. For South Korea and Vladivostok, the surcharge increases from around 3,000 yen (Rp 320,000) to 6,000 yen (Rp 640,000). Low-cost carriers such as Zipair and Jetstar do not impose fuel surcharges, but this increase could affect overall ticket prices. At the international level, several airlines are also raising surcharges. Cathay Pacific, for instance, has adjusted fares for Japan-US routes from 72.90 USD (Rp 1.2 million) to 149.20 USD (Rp 2.5 million) per 18 March. The increase occurs because the US-Israel conflict with Iran is pressuring the global oil market, forcing airlines to adjust jet fuel prices that are getting higher.