"Soaring Fuel Surcharges"... Next Month Korean Air and Asiana Airlines Reach All-Time High (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Fuel surcharges imposed on international flight tickets of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have reached record highs due to the ongoing high oil price trend. Consumers are expected to face increased burdens when purchasing airline tickets.

According to the aviation industry on the 18th, Korean Air's international fuel surcharge for May will be applied at level 17, which is three levels higher than this month. The surcharge ranges from 33,800 to 256,100 KRW depending on the one-way distance. Additionally, Asiana Airlines' international fuel surcharge for next month will also be applied at level 17, with charges ranging from 35,400 to 197,900 KRW based on one-way distance.

Level 17 is the highest level since the distance-proportional system for fuel surcharges was introduced in July 2016. This month, level 14 is applied, with Korean Air charging between 28,600 and 211,900 KRW, and Asiana Airlines charging between 29,100 and 161,300 KRW.

International fuel surcharges are applied in stages when the average price of Singapore jet fuel per gallon (1 gallon = 3.785L) exceeds 150 cents. If it is below this threshold, no surcharge is applied.

From March 16 to the 15th of this month, which is the reference period for next month's international fuel surcharge, the average price of Singapore jet fuel was 318.23 cents per gallon.

Meanwhile, domestic fuel surcharges for both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will increase from 9,900 KRW this month to 14,300 KRW next month.

With recent increases in airline ticket prices and the additional rise in fuel surcharges, consumer burdens are expected to grow further. Fuel surcharges are fees imposed by airlines to compensate for losses caused by rising oil prices and must be paid separately from the fare when consumers purchase airline tickets.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.