JAL and ANA Plan Fuel Surcharge Increases as Travel Costs Rise

Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have sought government approval to increase international fuel surcharges for tickets issued in November and December, adding to travel costs as Middle East tensions continue to put pressure on aviation fuel prices.

The two Japanese carriers announced their proposed revisions on 15 October, with one-way fuel surcharges for flights from Japan to Europe and North America, excluding Hawaii, set to rise to ¥62,000 per passenger. JAL plans to increase the charge by ¥12,000, while ANA will raise it by ¥7,000 compared with the September–October period.

According to the Bangkok Post, the revised charges would apply to tickets issued in Japan between 1 November and 31 December 2026, subject to government approval.

JAL has submitted its proposed revision to Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), while ANA's published surcharge schedule also states that the planned charges are subject to government approval. The new rates should therefore be treated as proposed rather than final.

The announcements illustrate how geopolitical tensions and elevated fuel costs can affect travel budgets far beyond the immediate conflict zone, with airlines adjusting surcharges to cover part of their operating expenses.

Long-haul travellers face higher costs

The proposed ¥62,000 one-way surcharge for Europe and North America represents a substantial addition to the cost of an international ticket. Passengers purchasing return journeys should check the applicable charge for each flight sector, as fuel surcharges are separate from base fares, taxes and other fees.

Regional routes are also affected. Under ANA's proposed schedule, the surcharge for flights from Japan to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Cambodia would rise to ¥32,000 per passenger per flight sector, from ¥27,300 for September and October. Charges for other Asian destinations vary.

The increases follow a period of lower surcharges for tickets issued in September and October. JAL bases its calculations on the two-month average price of Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel, while ANA also reviews its charges in response to fuel-market movements.

Both airlines have incorporated Japanese government measures intended to mitigate the impact of higher fuel costs associated with the Middle East situation. Without those measures, the applicable surcharges would have been higher under their standard pricing calculations.

The adjustments do not mean that every international ticket will increase by the same amount. Actual costs depend on the route, ticketing market, applicable fare conditions and other charges.

Middle East conflict adds pressure to airline economics

The surcharge announcements come as airlines continue to manage the financial consequences of the wider Middle East conflict.

In an earlier report on 30 April, Reuters reported that JAL and ANA were facing higher fuel costs amid the conflict. ANA estimated at the time that higher fuel prices could add approximately ¥140 billion to its costs for the financial year, although hedging, fare adjustments and cost-cutting measures were expected to mitigate the impact.

The latest proposed surcharge increases come amid renewed disruption to Saudi Arabia's aviation network following attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. While the surcharge calculations are based on fuel prices recorded during August and September, the latest security incidents add to uncertainty surrounding the industry's operating environment.

For airlines, the challenge is to balance higher fuel expenses against passenger demand and competitive pricing. For travellers, the proposed increases make the total cost of long-haul journeys an increasingly important consideration.

Implications for travel sellers

Travel agents, tour operators and corporate travel managers should monitor the approval process and check the applicable surcharge schedules before confirming bookings for travel originating in Japan.

If approved, the revised charges could encourage travellers to compare departure dates, routes and carriers more closely, particularly when planning family holidays or multi-destination itineraries. However, the effect on demand will depend on travel budgets, exchange rates, available alternatives and the perceived value of each trip.

For the wider travel industry, the announcements highlight how geopolitical tensions can translate into additional costs for consumers, even when their journeys do not involve the affected region.

As the industry enters the final quarter of 2026, the proposed increases underscore the challenge facing airlines and travel businesses as they seek to maintain demand while managing higher operating costs.

For more details, visit: JAL's November–December surcharge announcement and ANA's international fuel surcharge table.