Asia-Pacific airlines warn $180 jet fuel could keep fares high into 2026
Why it matters: Fuel now makes up about a third of airline costs, while carriers still face aircraft delivery delays and pricier maintenance.
Asia-Pacific airline leaders warned in Kuala Lumpur that elevated ticket prices may persist into 2026 as jet fuel hovers near $180 a barrel and broader operating costs stay high. Wong Hong, director-general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said the industry is working in a sharply different cost environment from a year ago, when fuel was about $80 a barrel. Executives from Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand and Air Astana also pointed to geopolitical turmoil, supply-chain problems and delayed aircraft deliveries. Even so, they said passenger and cargo demand has remained resilient, with travelers continuing to book flights despite higher fares and surcharges.