International Route Fuel Surcharge Hits Record-High Level 33... Additional 1 Million Won for US Flights (Comprehensive)
by Choi Youngchan
Published 16 Apr.2026 10:14(KST)
Updated 16 Apr.2026 11:21(KST)
Record-High Level 33 Surpasses Russia-Ukraine War Peak
Korean Air: 75,000 to 564,000 won
Asiana Airlines: 85,400 to 476,200 won
As the war in the Middle East continues and high oil prices persist, the fuel surcharge imposed on international flight tickets issued in May has risen to a record-high level.
According to the airline industry on April 16, the average price of Singapore jet fuel (MOPS) applied to the May fuel surcharge is 511.21 cents per gallon (214.71 dollars per barrel). Since the highest level, Level 33, is set for prices above 470 cents per barrel, the May fuel surcharge falls under Level 33.
The fuel surcharge is an additional fee airlines charge on top of the fare to offset losses from rising oil prices. It is set monthly by each airline, based on the distance proportional system of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, following internal adjustment at each carrier.
Level 33 is 15 steps higher than the previous month, April, which was Level 18, marking the largest monthly increase since the current fuel surcharge system was introduced in 2016. This is also the first time Level 33 is being applied. The previous highest was Level 22, which was implemented in July and August 2022 after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Korean Air and Asiana Airlines announced their international fuel surcharges for May on this day.
For Korean Air, the one-way surcharge will range from a minimum of 75,000 won to a maximum of 564,000 won. Last month, it ranged from 42,000 won to 303,000 won. For a round-trip ticket on the New York route, passengers will have to pay an additional 1,128,000 won in fuel surcharges.
Asiana Airlines will apply a one-way fuel surcharge ranging from a minimum of 85,400 won to a maximum of 476,200 won. This represents an increase of 41,500 won to 224,300 won compared to the previous month.
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) are also expected to soon announce their fuel surcharges for May.
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