Airlines operating in Pakistan have increased ticket costs by introducing fuel surcharges after a sharp rise in jet fuel prices and ongoing airspace disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
Carriers have added a fuel surcharge ranging from $20 to $100 per leg on both domestic and international flights, raising the overall cost of travel for passengers. The move comes after jet fuel prices in Pakistan surged significantly this month, climbing from Rs188.93 to Rs342.32 per liter, according to local media reports.
Abdullah Hafeez, spokesperson for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), said airlines have not officially increased base fares but were forced to impose surcharges to offset the spike in aviation fuel costs.
“Airlines have imposed a fuel surcharge of $20 to $100 per leg to mitigate the impact of higher jet fuel prices. This means a round-trip ticket could cost an additional $40 to $200 depending on the route and distance,” he said.
Flights to Saudi Arabia, including Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah, currently carry a $50 surcharge per leg, or $100 for a return ticket. Meanwhile, flights to London have a surcharge of $75 per leg.
Ticket prices have also surged on some routes. UK-bound flights that previously cost around Rs250,000 have climbed to as high as Rs1 million, while fares between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have increased from Rs125,000 to around Rs200,000.
Overall, airlines have raised fares by Rs10,000 to Rs28,000 per ticket, with long-haul destinations such as Toronto and Manchester seeing the largest increases.
