Yeon-don Choi, Gounee Yang

Global Economic News

FUEL surcharges imposed on international flights of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines hit an all-time high again due to international price hikes.

Airlines increased fares as fuel surcharges surged and the total price of air tickets that customer should pay also rose.

According to industry sources, Korean Air raised international fuel surcharges to the highest — Level 19 — from current Level 17. So surcharge for one-way tickets on international routes will range from 37,700 won (US$29.4) to 293,800 won, depending on the route.

Asiana Airlines will also apply Level 19, charging 44,400-229,600 won for one-way tickets from next month.

Level 19 is the highest level since July 2016, when companies started to levy fuel surcharge based on flight distance. It is steadily rising to Level 10 in March, Level 14 in April, Level 17 in May and Level 19 in June.

International fuel surcharges are imposed when jet fuel prices averaged US$3.36 per gallon on the Singaporean market from April 16 to May 15.

Meanwhile, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines will raise fuel surcharges on domestic routes to 17,600 won in the coming month from 14,300 won in May.