【Airfare Surcharge】Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong Express Fuel Surcharge Doubled! Affected by Middle East Situation, How Much More to Pay for Flights to Japan and Thailand?

The situation in Iran remains tense, and the vital global oil transportation route, the Strait of Hormuz, has yet to resume normal navigation, 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, which will further increase travel costs for passengers. Hong Kong Express also raised fuel surcharges starting March 18, with routes to Japan, Korea, and Thailand increasing from $140 to $290.

Cathay Pacific Fuel Surcharge Increase Starting March 18, 2026

All Cathay Pacific tickets include fuel surcharges. Cathay Pacific states that due to recent developments in the Middle East situation, airline fuel prices have nearly doubled since March. Therefore, Cathay Pacific announced that effective 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 (an increase of 105%), applicable to routes between Hong Kong and Southwest Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
• Medium-haul flights: from $264 to $541 (an increase of 105%), applicable to routes between Hong Kong and South Asia
• Short-haul flights: from $142 to $290 (an increase of 104%), applicable to other routes not mentioned above (covering most Asian routes, including Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)

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

Hong Kong Express also increased fuel surcharges for routes departing from Hong Kong, excluding Mainland China flights.

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

Previously, Hong Kong Airlines announced that starting March 12, it would adjust passenger fuel surcharges, affecting both short and long-haul 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 (total $100 for round trips). For long-haul routes, the surcharge increased by $150 per flight, meaning travelers purchasing round-trip tickets will pay an additional $300 just for fuel fees.