April Fuel Surcharges in Korea Rise on Higher Crude, Weak Won

Rising crude prices and a weaker won driven by Middle East tensions are pushing up international air-fuel surcharges for April, complicating travel planning for Koreans and overseas visitors. The surcharge is tied to the Singapore jet fuel price (MOPS), and for the period February 16 to March 15 this year MOPS stood at 326.71 cents per gallon, with the overall international surcharge tier at 18 of 33 steps. Airlines say the month-on-month jump is the largest since Korea’s current surcharge system was introduced in 2016.

For Korean carriers, the new April surcharge levels can be more than three times higher than March. The total international fuel surcharge is imposed per one-way leg and is distance-based, meaning longer trips incur higher charges. Analysts note that the surcharge applies at the time of ticket issuance, so buyers who plan travel in the near term may lock in the lower tier by booking this month.

Korean Air has moved from a range of 13,500 won to 99,000 won per one-way leg this month to a projected 42,000 won to 303,000 won next month. On the shorter Incheon-Shenyang, Incheon-Qingdao, Incheon-Yantai, and Incheon-Fukuoka routes, the surcharge will sit near the lower end, while longer routes such as Incheon-New York, Incheon-Atlanta, and Incheon-Washington will carry the higher end. For a round trip between Incheon and New York, the surcharge could push total add-ons to about 408,000 won.

Asiana Airlines shows a similar pattern: this month’s one-way surcharges ranged from 14,600 won to 78,600 won, rising to 43,900 won to 251,900 won next month. Short-haul routes like Incheon-Hokkaido or Incheon-Qingdao carry the lower figures, while long-haul routes to Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and London receive the higher end of the range.

Among all-Korean carriers, low-cost Jin Air and Eastar Jet charge in U.S. dollars. Jin Air’s one-way surcharge rose from 8–21 dollars this month to 25–76 dollars next month. Eastar Jet moved from 9–22 dollars to 29–68 dollars. Jeju Air and T’way Air have not published April figures yet but are expected to follow the same trend as other carriers.

Industry officials note that the fuel-surcharge regime is set monthly, based on the most recent MOPS figure, and that the surge reflects both higher crude prices and exchange-rate volatility. The practice of applying surcharges at ticketing means travelers who buy now may avoid larger increases if fuel costs continue to climb, but if prices retreat after issuance, carriers do not refund the difference. Conversely, further spikes could push fares higher for international travel from Korea for the near term.

For U.S. readers, the developments matter because Korea remains a key hub for transpacific travel and for U.S.-Korea business and tourism. Higher fuel surcharges can lift the cost of corporate travel, affect flight pricing on routes between the United States and Korea, and influence airlines’ competitive dynamics in Asia-Pacific markets. Since fuel costs and exchange rates can ripple through ticket prices and service levels, American travelers and businesses planning Korea-linked trips should monitor April price changes and consider booking early if possible.