Airlines put up ticket prices as Middle East conflict escalates

Airlines have begun raising ticket prices to cover the steep increase in fuel costs as a result of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

KLM added €10 to the price of a short-haul return flight and €50 to a long-haul trip last week, while budget airline Transavia confirmed reports in Dutch media that it was imposing a €5 surcharge on selected flights.

The airline, a subsidiary of KLM, said the charge would cover part of the extra fuel costs, but would not say which routes were affected, calling the information commercially sensitive.

The cost of a barrel of kerosine has risen from $99 to $175 since the end of February, according to figures from the International Air Travel Association (IATA).

However, holiday airline Corendon said it would not be raising its prices on its own routes or pre-booked seats on other operators’ flights, including Transavia.

“We will not be imposing a fuel surcharge because we have enough to cover the fuel price and the exchange rate risk on the dollar until the end of October,” CEO Gunay Uslu said.