“There has been no change,” a Korean Air official told AJP, when asked whether the carrier had reduced domestic flights due to rising fuel costs. “Nothing has been decided.”
The official said claims that the airline had cut domestic flights were “not based on confirmation from us,” adding that Korean Air continues to operate a substantial number of domestic services, including on the Gimpo-Jeju route.
Fuel costs have risen sharply in recent weeks as the renewed conflict between the United States and Iran has raised fears of further disruptions to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.
Brent crude rose 2.3 percent to $90.10 a barrel Monday, standing about 30 percent above its July low, as escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities raised concerns over further disruptions to Middle East oil flows. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 2 percent to $84.10 a barrel. Brent had jumped 15.9 percent last week, its biggest weekly gain since April.
Oil prices extended their rally as U.S.-Iran hostilities escalated over the weekend, with Washington carrying out a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran and Kuwait and Bahrain reporting additional Iranian attacks. Reuters reported that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained low over the weekend, while both sides have increasingly targeted maritime traffic.
The Korean Air official acknowledged that fuel prices have risen but rejected any direct link to domestic flight operations.
“Fuel costs have risen a lot,” the official said. “But I don’t see how that is related to domestic routes.”
The official also noted that Korean Air’s main business remains international routes, while current domestic operations remain sufficient.
The airline’s fuel surcharge for August, announced on July 16, was also lowered by five levels from July, suggesting that the latest oil price surge has not yet translated into higher passenger surcharges.
Korean Air has said it operates a substantial number of domestic flights already, including on the Gimpo-Jeju route.
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