Fuel surcharges on international flights departing South Korea have climbed to record levels in May, sharply increasing the cost burden on overseas travelers and raising concerns that demand for long-haul summer travel could weaken.
Korean Air Lines Co. said tickets issued in May for international departures carry one-way fuel surcharges ranging from about $54 to as much as $405, up from roughly $30 to $217 a month earlier.
On long-haul U.S. routes such as Incheon-to-New York and Incheon-to-Atlanta, round-trip fuel surcharges alone have risen to about $810 per passenger. When combined with base fares and airport fees, total ticket costs can approach $1,440.
That represents a sharp increase from off-season pricing for U.S.-bound routes, which previously ranged from roughly $720 to $1,080 round trip.
The increase reflects rising jet-fuel prices. The average price of Singapore jet fuel—the benchmark used to calculate South Korea’s international surcharge system—stood at 511.21 cents a gallon during the pricing period from March 16 to April 15.
Under South Korea’s pricing formula, international fuel surcharges move into the highest tier once jet-fuel prices exceed 470 cents a gallon.
Because fuel surcharges are based on the ticket issuance date rather than the departure date, travelers purchasing tickets in May for summer travel will still pay elevated surcharges even if they fly later in the year.
Industry officials said the increase could prompt some consumers to delay long-haul trips or shift to shorter regional destinations as overall airfare costs continue to rise during peak travel season.
Airlines are also facing mounting pressure. While fuel surcharges are designed to offset higher fuel costs, they also lift total ticket prices at a time when carriers are reluctant to raise base fares aggressively.
Low-cost carriers are considered particularly exposed because of their reliance on price-sensitive travelers. If budget airlines maintain discounted fares to preserve demand, they may struggle to fully pass through higher fuel costs. Raising fares, meanwhile, risks weakening bookings.
Industry executives said ticket prices are unlikely to decline in the near term amid elevated oil prices and currency volatility.
“On long-haul U.S. routes, where fuel surcharges alone now exceed $800, passengers are feeling fare increases much more directly,” an industry official said. “At the same time, airlines cannot raise fares indefinitely without hurting demand, meaning prolonged high oil prices and a weak won could further pressure profitability.”
