Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a direct impact on the global airline industry. Since the escalation of the war in Iran, aviation fuel prices have been highly volatile. According to the specialized press and energy market data, this increase is gradually being passed on to airlines through higher fuel surcharges applied by several companies.
For travel agencies and tour operators, the question is no longer just whether prices will change, but how this rise in energy costs could be reflected in tickets in the coming months.
Summary
A rapid surge in the price of kerosene
The energy market reacts immediately to geopolitical tensions in oil-producing areas. The Middle East, which remains a strategic region for global supply, directly influences oil and aviation fuel prices.
IATA data reported by the specialized press, the price of kerosene rose rapidly at the beginning of the crisis. This increase is explained by both the rise in crude oil prices and the increased cost of refining aviation fuel.
One indicator often observed by analysts is the "crack spread," which is the difference between the price of crude oil and that of refined products like kerosene. When this spread widens, jet fuel can rise much faster than crude oil itself.
Fuel represents a very significant portion of airline expenses. According to IATA, it can account for between 30% and 40% of operating costs, depending on the period and market conditions.
Companies are starting to adjust their fares
Faced with rising energy costs, several airlines have already announced fare adjustments. According to the trade press, some European and Asian airlines have begun revising their carrier surcharges to offset the increase in fuel prices.
The Air France-KLM group has notably adjusted certain fare components on long-haul flights. In other parts of the world, carriers such as Hong Kong Airlines and Air India have also mentioned increases in fuel surcharges on certain routes.
Other companies are taking a more cautious approach. Air New Zealand, for example, has announced it is temporarily suspending some financial forecasts due to the volatility of aviation fuel prices.
According to the specialized press, this volatility could persist as long as the geopolitical situation in the Middle East remains uncertain.
What the legal framework says about fuel surcharges
The question of how fuel surcharges are passed on also arises in the travel distribution chain. Legally, the fuel surcharge is part of the overall price of the airline ticket.
According to analysis by Emmanuelle Llop of the law firm Equinoxe Avocats , this pricing component can change depending on airline decisions. Carriers can adjust their prices when operating costs fluctuate, particularly due to fuel costs.
In the distribution chain, tour operators typically receive notification of price increases from airlines. These increases can then be passed on to travel agencies according to the contractual terms agreed upon by the various parties involved.
However, in the context of package holidays, the Tourism Code provides for certain limits on price revision before departure, which obliges professionals to carefully check their contractual conditions.
A tangible impact for tourism professionals
For travel agencies, rising aviation fuel prices can have several operational consequences. Price adjustments can alter the final cost of a trip, particularly for long-haul routes.
Professionals must therefore closely monitor developments in the energy market and decisions made by airlines. Clear communication with customers becomes essential when pricing conditions change.
In my view, this situation highlights a structural reality of the airline industry: transport prices remain closely linked to energy costs and geopolitical tensions. When a crisis erupts in a region that is strategic for global energy, the entire travel market can be affected.
Why this topic remains strategic for agencies
In a context already marked by tourism inflation and rising operating costs, fuel surcharges could once again become an important factor in the formation of travel prices.
For tourism professionals, the challenge is therefore to anticipate these changes and closely monitor airline pricing decisions. This monitoring allows them to adapt their commercial offers and explain potential price changes to travelers.
In short
- The war in Iran is causing high volatility in aviation fuel prices.
- Kerosene can account for up to 40% of airline operating costs.
- Several companies have started adjusting their fuel surcharges.
- Price increases can have repercussions throughout the travel distribution chain.
- The agencies must monitor developments in the energy market and the decisions of the companies.
- Geopolitical tensions can have a direct effect on the price of airline tickets.
Sources
https://www.deplacementspros.com/transport/aerien/guerre-en-iran-les-surcharges-carburant-senvolent
https://www.tourmag.com/Surcharge-carburant-quelles-sont-les-regles_a130893.html
👉 Access all our tourism reports, statistics and analyses on Tourisme Stats .
➡️ Check out our full report on B2B Tourism to discover the key trends, figures and strategies for 2026.
👉 Stay informed about business tourism trends: subscribe to InfosTourisme Inside .
📘 Also check out our practical pages for tourism professionals .
📩 Send your press releases .
