By S.M. Inam
KARACHI: Passengers across Pakistan are facing a steep surge in airfares as jet fuel prices have skyrocketed, with overall ticket costs rising dramatically due to increased fuel surcharges despite base fares remaining unchanged. The price of jet fuel has seen a massive increase from Rs176 to Rs417 per liter, raising concerns that air travel is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many passengers.
According to a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson, several airlines have increased fares by up to 100 percent through fuel surcharges, with all carriers making fuel-based adjustments to their pricing structures. PIA has imposed a $10 fuel surcharge on domestic flights, while international routes have seen higher increases: flights to Canada now carry a surcharge of up to $100, passengers traveling to the United Kingdom are being charged an additional $75, and for Saudi Arabia and other Gulf destinations, surcharges of up to $50 have been introduced. Private airlines have followed suit, imposing additional charges ranging from $15 to $150 on tickets depending on the route and carrier.
The situation has been further complicated by the closure of Gulf airspace, which has increased operational pressure on Pakistani airlines as longer routes and higher fuel consumption contribute to rising costs. With fuel prices continuing to climb and surcharges already in place, passengers are likely to face sustained increases in airfare in the coming weeks, as the combined impact of fuel costs and regional airspace restrictions is expected to keep ticket prices elevated.
