Japan’s major airlines to raise international fuel surcharges from June amid Middle East conflict

Tokyo, April 2 (IANS) Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) are expected to raise fuel surcharges sharply on international flights from June, due to rising oil prices amid the Middle East conflict, local media reported.

Fuel surcharges on flights to Europe and North America in June and July are planned to reach 55,000 yen (about 346 U.S. dollars) for ANA, up 23,100 yen from April and May, while JAL is expected to raise its surcharge by 21,000 yen to 50,000 yen, Kyodo News reported Wednesday.

For flights to China, ANA’s surcharge is expected to rise by 4,900 yen to 14,300 yen, while JAL’s will increase by 5,000 yen to 12,400 yen.

Surcharges to South Korea and Russia are likely to double for both companies from about 3,000 yen, marking the highest levels under the current pricing system.

The move is likely to hit the summer holiday season and dampen travel demand, the report said.

The airlines review surcharges every two months to cope with fluctuations in fuel prices and currency exchange rates, with prices in February and March reflected in surcharges for June and July, Xinhua news agency reported.

Aviation kerosene is produced by refining crude oil, with its price more than doubling on the Singapore market in March from levels before the conflict began in late February.

Fuel surcharges are calculated based on the average price of kerosene every two months, with prices in February and March reflected in surcharges for June and July.

Earlier on March 30, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had said that she would consider holding talks with the Iranian leadership at an “appropriate” time if it serves Japan’s national interest as tensions in the Middle East remain high.

–IANS

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