Travelers across the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are facing significantly higher ticket prices as airlines increase fuel surcharges following a sharp rise in oil prices.
Airfares across the region have increased by as much as 30 percent, driven largely by rising jet fuel costs after oil prices climbed above $100 per barrel last week.
The surge in prices followed the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil.
The increase in oil prices has also triggered a sharp rise in global jet fuel costs, further affecting the financial performance of airlines worldwide.
Under normal conditions, jet fuel accounts for roughly one-third of an airline’s total operating costs, making it one of the most significant expenses for carriers.
In response, many regional and Asian airlines have introduced or increased fuel surcharges over the past week, pushing ticket prices higher just days before Eid Al Fitr, which will be celebrated later this week across the UAE and the wider Gulf region.
Industry experts say premium routes are likely to see the biggest price increases. Routes such as Dubai to London, New York, Mumbai, and Riyadh are expected to experience the sharpest fare hikes.
At the same time, airports and airlines across the UAE and GCC have resumed limited operations to major international destinations, though capacity remains affected by the ongoing situation.