In May 2026, airline fuel surcharges reached record highs globally, driven by rising oil prices due to geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Airlines such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines increased fuel surcharges to their highest levels since the surcharge system's establishment in 2016, with some international fees exceeding 560,000 won and totaling over 1.1 million won for round-trip tickets from Incheon to New York.
The surcharge system categorizes tickets according to tiers, with the current level 33 representing the top tier. Industry experts indicated that the surge reflects heightened fuel costs, prompting airlines to adjust their pricing accordingly. Despite the peak, a recent dip in oil prices has raised expectations that surcharges may decrease slightly starting in June.
Airline-specific surcharge increases
Korean Air's international one-way ticket surcharges now range from 75,000 to 564,000 won, roughly 1.8 to 1.9 times higher than in April. Similarly, Asiana Airlines' surcharges range from 85,400 to 476,200 won. The surcharges are added to base fares, with some cases where the surcharge exceeds the base cost depending on the class of service. Low-cost carriers like Jeju Air have also increased their fees to approximately 76,000 to 186,000 won per international one-way ticket.
This significant rise underscores the impact of external geopolitical factors on airline operational costs and fare structures. Industry officials anticipate that if oil prices stabilize or fall, surcharge levels could ease in the upcoming months, providing relief for travelers.
