Airlines in Pakistan have raised ticket fares further due to soaring jet fuel prices and increased operational costs, which have been aggravated by the ongoing US-Israel tensions with Iran. The rise in fuel costs, reportedly doubling in recent weeks, has forced carriers to pass the burden onto passengers through additional security and fuel surcharges.
Domestic routes connecting Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, among other cities, have witnessed significant fare hikes. One-way tickets from Karachi to Islamabad or Lahore are now reaching up to Rs40,000. “Chance seat” tickets, which are sold at last-minute availability, have surged even more sharply, with prices increasing by up to 150 percent. Passengers are currently paying over Rs50,000 for one-way “chance seats” on key domestic routes.
The spike in fares has also affected international travel. Economy class tickets to destinations including the Middle East, Toronto, Paris, and Manchester now range from Rs300,000 to Rs700,000, reflecting the broader impact of fuel shortages and limited oil reserves on both domestic and international flights.
The rising costs come in the context of the government’s recent decision to adjust fuel levies amid the ongoing crisis. On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a video-link meeting, approved an increase of Rs200 per litre on high-octane fuel used in luxury vehicles, raising the total levy from Rs100 to Rs300 per litre. This adjustment pushed the price of High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) in Pakistan to Rs535 per litre. The government’s move aims to address the fuel shortage and stabilize the energy market amid Middle East tensions that continue to influence domestic fuel and aviation costs.
Overall, the combination of skyrocketing jet fuel prices, limited reserves, and increased levies has put upward pressure on airline fares, affecting travelers across both domestic and international routes and highlighting the broader economic impact of regional geopolitical instability on Pakistan’s aviation sector.
Read more: New Airline Announces Jobs in Nine Cities
