If you are planning to travel abroad, the timing of your flight ticket purchase can significantly affect the burden of fuel surcharges. Korean Air's international fuel surcharges for September are set to rise sharply compared to August.
According to Korean Air, the one-way fuel surcharge for flights from Incheon to Tokyo and Osaka will increase from 49,600 won in August to 66,000 won in September, a rise of 16,400 won. For destinations like Bangkok, Singapore, and Guam, the surcharge will jump from 99,200 won to 153,000 won, an increase of 53,800 won.
The increases are even more pronounced for long-haul routes. The one-way surcharge for flights from Incheon to Los Angeles, London, and Paris will rise from 225,600 won to 325,500 won, an increase of 99,900 won. For flights to New York, Chicago, and Boston, the surcharge will go up from 259,200 won to 354,000 won, a rise of 94,800 won.
Travelers should note that fuel surcharges are based on the ticket purchase date, not the departure date. If you book your ticket in August, the August surcharge will apply even if you depart in September. Conversely, if you book in September, the September surcharge will apply regardless of your departure date. After purchase, any changes in fuel surcharges before your flight will not result in additional charges or refunds.
However, the amounts announced by Korean Air are based on one-way flights departing from Korea. The fuel surcharge for the return leg may vary depending on the country of departure, so travelers should check the total cost during the booking and payment process.
The increase in September fuel surcharges is attributed to rising jet fuel prices. The average price of jet fuel during the calculation period for September is $149.29 per barrel, which is 25.4% higher than the $119.06 per barrel during the calculation for August. Consequently, the number of levels for international fuel surcharges has increased from 14 to 21.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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