Airlines raise fares as jet fuel prices spike, supplies tighten

Airlines in Pakistan have increased fares further amid rising jet fuel prices and higher operational costs linked to the prevailing US-Israel war on Iran. Multiple airlines have raised ticket prices by passing on increased fuel expenses through additional security charges, with fuel costs reportedly doubling. Fares on routes between Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, as well as other stations, have seen notable increases. One-way fares from Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore have reached up to Rs40,000. A shortage of jet fuel and limited oil reserves have also been cited as key reasons behind the rise in ticket prices. Fares for “chance seats” on routes to Lahore and Islamabad have increased by up to 150 per cent. Airlines are now charging more than Rs50,000 for one-way “chance seat” tickets on domestic routes, including Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. International ticket prices have also risen, with economy class fares to the Middle East, Toronto, Paris and Manchester ranging between Rs300,000 and Rs700,000. Read: Govt increases Rs200 levy on high-octane fuel for luxury cars to ease crisis Earlier on Sunday, the government approved a significant Rs200 per litre increase in the fuel levy on high-octane used in luxury vehicles, in a move to cope with the fuel crisis amid Middle East tensions. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairing a video-link meeting, announced that the current levy of Rs100 per litre on high-octane fuel would be raised by an additional Rs200, bringing the total levy to Rs300 per litre. Pushing the new price of High Octane Blending Component (HOBC) in the country to Rs535. The decision to increase the levy from Rs100 to Rs300 per litre was taken in a meeting chaired by the prime minister.