A dramatic rise in jet fuel prices triggered by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is forcing airlines worldwide to adjust fares and revise financial outlooks. Prices for jet fuel have jumped from $85–$90 per barrel to $150–$200 in recent weeks, a major blow for an industry where fuel can account for up to a quarter of operating costs.

Airlines are responding with a mix of ticket increases, fuel surcharges, and operational changes:

• AEGEAN Airlines – Anticipates a notable impact on first-quarter results due to suspended Middle East flights and higher fuel costs.
• Air France-KLM – Plans to raise long-haul ticket prices by roughly €50 ($57) per round trip.
• Air New Zealand – Increased fares on domestic, short-haul international, and long-haul flights, suspending its full-year earnings forecast.
• Akasa Air – Introduced fuel surcharges of ₹199–₹1,300 ($2–$14) on domestic and international routes.
• American Airlines – Projects $400 million in additional first-quarter expenses from rising fuel costs.
• Cathay Pacific – Raising fuel surcharges on all routes from April 1, reviewing them biweekly.
• Cebu Air – Continues evaluating pricing and network adjustments to manage the fuel spike.
• EasyJet – Warns European passengers of higher fares toward the end of summer as fuel hedges expire.
• Frontier Airlines – Reviewing full-year forecast amid rising fuel prices.
• Hong Kong Airlines – Boosting fuel surcharges by up to 35%, particularly on routes to the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
• IAG (British Airways owner) – Does not plan immediate fare increases, benefiting from fuel hedges.
• IndiGo – Introducing fuel charges of ₹900–₹2,300 for international flights and lobbying for reduced fuel taxes.
• Pakistan International Airlines – Raising domestic fares by $20 and international fares up to $100.
• Philippine Airlines – Maintains sufficient fuel for operations but faces uncertainty beyond May–June.
• Qantas Airways – Increasing international fares and adding flights to major destinations while monitoring fuel security.
• SAS – Canceling 1,000 flights in April due to elevated fuel prices.
• Spring Airlines – Will raise domestic fuel surcharges from April 5.
• Thai Airways – Increasing fares by 10–15%.
• SunExpress (Turkish Airlines & Lufthansa JV) – Introducing €10 ($11.46) fuel surcharge on Turkey-Europe routes from May.
• United Airlines – Cutting unprofitable flights while keeping fares higher in response to sustained high oil prices.
• VietJet – Adjusting flight frequencies due to potential fuel shortages.
• Vietnam Airlines – Cancelling 23 weekly domestic flights from April, seeking government relief from environmental fuel taxes.
• Virgin Australia – Adjusting fares to reflect higher costs across the sector.
• Greater Bay Airlines – Raising fuel surcharges on most routes from April 1, except mainland China and Japan.

These changes highlight the global aviation sector’s vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and the resulting volatility in energy markets.

Exchange Rates Used:
$1 = €0.8724 | $1 = ₹92.7040 | $1 = HK$7.8380 | $1 = NZ$1.7144

Source: ZAWYA

Air travel across Italy was disrupted on Friday after a technical fault affected the country’s air traffic control systems, resulting in flight delays and cancellations.

Air traffic control provider ENAV said it had introduced temporary restrictions on air traffic capacity after detecting overnight anomalies in the data transmission network supporting air traffic services nationwide.

Authorities said the disruption was not caused by sabotage and confirmed that the technical issue had been resolved later in the day.

Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed that 192 flights had been cancelled by around 1000 GMT. At the same time, only about 31% of departures from Italian airports were leaving on schedule.

The situation was particularly challenging at the country’s major airports. On-time departures stood at approximately 25% at Milan Malpensa Airport and 28% at Rome Fiumicino Airport.

ENAV announced at around 1325 GMT that it had restored full operational capacity, bringing the technical disruption to an end.

Source: Reuters

Saudi telecom operator STC Group is offering free, unlimited calls to and from Saudi Arabia for customers roaming overseas, helping travellers maintain contact with their families amid continuing flight disruptions.

Announced on X, the initiative runs from October 12 to October 19. STC said the offer was intended to support customers facing difficulties staying connected with loved ones during an uncertain period.

“We understand how difficult it can be to be away from family, particularly during times like these,” the company told Arab News.

STC added that free, unlimited calling would make it easier for customers outside the Kingdom to communicate with relatives and provide reassurance during the disruption.

The initiative comes as flights to and from Riyadh face interruptions following a recent attack on King Khalid International Airport.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation announced on X that the airport’s operational suspension had been extended to allow safety inspections of its facilities to be completed. The authority did not provide a timeline for the resumption of flights.

Traveller Welcomes Initiative but Calls for Free Internet

Hisham Al-Ghasim, a Saudi citizen whose return journey from Bangkok to Riyadh was disrupted, welcomed STC’s offer but said free internet access would have been more practical.

His existing mobile package already covered calls, while internet connectivity was important for arranging alternative travel, making bookings and accessing essential applications.

He told Arab News that providing unrestricted internet access instead of free calls would have been more useful because many everyday communications and travel arrangements depend on online services.

Al-Ghasim had completed a business trip to Bangkok and was waiting for a taxi when he received a notification that his return flight had been delayed.

He said he was informed that his departure had been postponed by three days. Although he had been following developments, he had not expected his flight booking to be cancelled.

His original itinerary involved an Emirates flight via Dubai to Riyadh. He subsequently arranged to end his journey in the United Arab Emirates instead.

After reaching Dubai, Al-Ghasim contacted the Saudi Consulate General, which offered assistance with returning to the Kingdom by road through organised group transport.

Saudi Missions Assist Stranded Citizens

Saudi embassies and consulates have also been helping citizens affected by flight cancellations associated with regional security developments.

Their support includes arranging emergency accommodation and helping travellers identify alternative routes to return home as aviation disruptions continue.

Source: Arab News

flydubai has cancelled all flights to Riyadh until October 14, the airline confirmed in a statement.

A spokesperson said the carrier is monitoring the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities and will notify passengers of any changes to flight schedules through its official communication channels.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to visit the Manage Booking section on the airline’s website, flydubai.com, to review available refund or rebooking options.

Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their agents directly for assistance.

The airline apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and said it would continue to provide updates through its official channels.

Source: Emirates247

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended services to Riyadh and Dammam, issuing a travel alert for passengers travelling to the two Saudi Arabian destinations.

The Qatari airline said it was monitoring developments in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the relevant authorities. In response to the evolving situation, the carrier halted flights to both cities until further notice.

Passengers have been urged to verify their flight status through the airline’s official website or mobile application before travelling.

Qatar Airways said the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority. The airline added that customers affected by the suspensions would be contacted directly, with additional updates published on its website as more information becomes available.

Source: QNA

Several UAE airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia, disrupting services to Riyadh and Dammam between October 10 and October 14, according to airline announcements and published flight schedules.

Flydubai confirmed that its flights between Dubai and Riyadh would remain cancelled through October 14. The airline said it was monitoring developments in coordination with the relevant authorities and would communicate further schedule changes through its official channels.

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been advised to visit the Manage Booking section on flydubai’s website to review available refund and rebooking options. Customers who purchased tickets through travel agents should contact their respective agents for assistance. The airline also apologised for the inconvenience caused by the changes.

Etihad Airways has cancelled selected flights between Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for the period from October 10 to October 12.

Emirates has also recorded cancellations on several services between Dubai and Riyadh on October 11 and 12. Disruptions extended to flights connecting Dubai with Dammam on October 11.

For October 12, Emirates' published schedules listed flights EK823 and EK821 between Dubai and Dammam as cancelled, while flight EK827 remained scheduled to operate.

The cancellations reflect schedule adjustments by multiple UAE carriers serving Saudi Arabia during the affected period.

Airlines have advised passengers to monitor official communication channels for the latest flight information and to contact their carriers or travel agents to discuss available options if their journeys have been affected.

Source: Emirates247