It's confirmed! Spring Airlines is the first to announce! Domestic flight fuel surcharges will be increased, and ticket prices have entered a slow upward trend.

Spring Airlines recently announced that it will increase the domestic fuel surcharge starting from 12:00 AM on April 5, becoming the first Chinese airline to officially announce this measure. The industry generally expects more airlines to follow suit in adjusting their prices to cope with the continuously rising fuel costs.

The increase in the fuel surcharge is a chain reaction of international oil prices soaring due to the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a key passage for approximately 20% of the world’s oil shipments, the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has directly pushed up global oil prices. Since the conflict broke out at the end of February 2026, international oil prices have surged nearly 50%, with Brent crude oil prices temporarily surpassing $150 per barrel, reaching a recent high. Institutions like Goldman Sachs predict that if the blockade continues, oil prices are likely to continue rising and may even break historical highs.

Fuel costs are one of the largest expenses for airlines, accounting for as much as 40%. The rise in international oil prices has placed enormous cost pressure on airlines. To alleviate this pressure, several airlines have already increased the fuel surcharges for international routes, with increases generally exceeding 50%, and some routes even doubling. For example, Juneyao Airlines has raised the fuel surcharge for routes from China to Indonesia to 600 yuan, and Spring Airlines has also seen increases of over 50% on some international routes. Additionally, international airlines such as Qantas, Scandinavian Airlines, and Air New Zealand have also raised ticket prices or fuel surcharges.

With international oil prices continuing to rise, the increase in the domestic fuel surcharge was also anticipated. Spring Airlines’ official announcement has confirmed market speculation about a price adjustment window on April 5. Industry insiders point out that the increase in fuel surcharges will directly raise travel costs for passengers, but considering the overlapping effects of the Qingming Festival and spring break, as well as market rumors about price increases, many travelers are choosing to book tickets in advance to avoid potential future cost hikes.

Data shows that during the Qingming spring break period, ticket prices for popular domestic routes are only half of those during the May Day holiday, prompting many families to bring their travel plans forward. This has created a surge in domestic travel before price increases. Outbound tourism is also experiencing a boom, with destinations mainly concentrated in Asia, such as Seoul, Bangkok, Jeju Island, and Kuala Lumpur. Travelers generally express that despite rising travel costs due to oil price hikes, they do not want to miss the beautiful spring scenery and are still willing to take advantage of the window before prices rise to enjoy the joys of travel.

Additionally, oil price fluctuations have affected travel methods such as self-driving tours and ferry cruises. In traditional self-driving destinations like New Zealand’s South Island, rising oil prices have led to frequent occurrences of private cars queuing to purchase fuel, significantly increasing the costs of self-driving and charter services. In Southeast Asian island scenic spots, diving boats and cruise ships are also facing cost pressures, with some diving shops and cruise companies announcing additional fuel surcharges to balance operating costs.

Although rising oil prices have brought price pressures to the tourism market, the enthusiasm for travel among the Chinese people has not diminished. The upcoming Qingming Festival combined with the spring break forms a 6-day “mini golden week,” breaking the traditional pattern of short-distance travel during Qingming. OTA platform data shows that from April 1 to 6, the number of passengers flying to popular domestic cities has increased by 30% year-on-year, with passengers under 18 growing by more than double, leading to a significant rise in the number of children on flights and a tripling of young visitors at scenic spots.

In terms of destination choices, spring outings and flower viewing remain the “top trend” for Qingming tourism. At the same time, “traveling for seasonal delicacies” has also become a major highlight of this year’s Qingming tourism market. Regions like Yixing in Jiangsu, Yichun in Jiangxi, and Xinzhou in Shanxi, known for their seasonal delicacies, have seen a surge in search popularity, with more and more travelers willing to travel to a city for a seasonal spring meal.

In response to the challenges posed by rising oil prices, airlines and travel companies are actively adapting. Many cruise companies have discovered strong demand for travel during this year’s spring break and Qingming Festival, launching activities in the Chinese market and offering discounts and a variety of events to attract Chinese tourists. Airlines are addressing cost pressures through measures such as raising fuel surcharges, optimizing route structures, and engaging in hedging strategies to ensure operational stability.

Editor | Yang Zhou

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