Airfare set to edge down in June on lower fuel surcharges

International airfare is set to edge down in June as fuel surcharges, which rose to record-high levels amid the Iran War, are expected to decline.

International fuel surcharges will fall to Level 27 in June, down six tiers from May's Level 33, the highest tier under Korea's distance-based surcharge system. May was the first time fuel surcharges maxed the scale out.

While the fuel surcharge level will decrease, travelers flying long-haul routes such as those bound for New York will still incur steep fees — as high as 900,000 won ($600) for a round trip.

According to international fuel surcharge rates for June announced by Korean Air on Monday, the surcharge for one-way Northeast Asia routes such as Gimpo-Tokyo and Incheon-Beijing will be 84,000 won, down by 18,000 won compared to May's.

For Southeast Asia routes such as Incheon flights to Bangkok Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the one-way surcharge will be 205,500 won, down by 48,000 won compared to the previous month.

Routes to Europe and the western United States will carry a one-way surcharge of 409,500 won, down by 91,500 won. The surcharge on flights to eastern U.S. destinations such as New York and Washington will come to 451,500 won, down by 112,500 won.

Fuel surcharges are an additional fee to cover fluctuating costs of fuel. It fluctuates with international oil prices, typically benchmarked against Singapore jet fuel prices. During the benchmark period for June rates — from April 16 to May 15 — the average price stood at $4.10 per gallon. The figure is down from the May benchmark period's $5.11 per gallon.

International fuel surcharges have risen sharply since the outbreak of military conflict in the Middle East. The surcharge level climbed from Level 6 in March to Level 18 in April, then reached the highest Level 33 in May.

Current surcharge levels are still considered high compared to previous periods affected by geopolitical instability — the previous high was just Level 22 between July and August 2022, when the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war was at its peak.

For consumers seeking lower ticket prices, the timing of ticket purchases is important. Fuel surcharges are applied based on the ticket issuance date, not the departure date. Even for flights departing in June, passengers who purchase tickets this month will pay May surcharge rates, while those who buy tickets next month will pay the lowered June rates.

Fuel surcharge burdens could gradually ease if international oil prices continue to stabilize from recent highs.

"Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East remains, but jet fuel prices have fallen from their peak," a Korean Air spokesperson said. "If the current trend continues, fuel surcharges could gradually decline."

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY PARK YOUNG-WOO [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]