【Airfare Surcharge】Cathay Pacific Fuel Surcharge Soars Up to 105%! Will the Middle East Situation Cause Extra Costs for Traveling to Japan and Thailand?

Iran’s ongoing tensions continue to affect the situation, with the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil transportation, remaining closed, leading to sustained high international oil prices. This not only increases fuel costs for cars in Hong Kong but also directly drives up airline ticket prices. Following Hong Kong Airlines, Cathay Pacific (00293) has announced a significant increase in passenger fuel surcharges, indicating another major airline raising prices, further increasing travel costs for passengers.

Cathay Pacific Fuel Surcharge Fully Increased Starting March 18, 2026

All Cathay Pacific tickets include a fuel surcharge. The airline states that due to recent developments in the Middle East, fuel prices have nearly doubled since March. Therefore, Cathay Pacific announced that starting March 18, 2026, it will officially adjust its passenger fuel surcharges. Under the current mechanism, the new charges will be as follows:

• Long-haul flights: from $569 to $1,164 (a 105% increase), applicable to flights between Hong Kong and Southwest Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
• Medium-haul flights: from $264 to $541 (a 105% increase), applicable to flights between Hong Kong and South Asia
• Short-haul flights: from $142 to $290 (a 104% increase), applicable to other flights not mentioned above (covering most Asian routes, including Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)

Cathay Pacific added that it will regularly review the fuel surcharge levels and closely monitor fuel price trends for appropriate adjustments.

Hong Kong Airlines Affected on Both Short and Long Routes, Japan, Korea, Thailand Additional $100 for Round Trips

Previously, Hong Kong Airlines announced that starting March 12, it would adjust its passenger fuel surcharges, affecting both short and long routes. For popular travel destinations among Hong Kong residents, including Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Southeast Asia, the short-haul fuel surcharge increased from $162 to $212, adding an extra $50 per one-way trip (totaling an additional $100 for round trips). For long-haul routes, the surcharge increased by $150 per trip, meaning travelers purchasing round-trip tickets will pay an extra $300 just for the fuel surcharge.