Ein Flugzeug der Thai Airways International am Flughafen Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok. Die Airline plant höhere Ticketpreise wegen gestiegener Treibstoffkosten. Foto: epa/Rungroj Yongrit
BANGKOK – Thai Airways International is increasing ticket prices by 10% to 15% to offset rising fuel costs, the airline announced on March 12, 2026. The move comes as demand for flights to Europe has surged following increased travel disruptions in the Middle East, according to Chief Financial Officer Cherdchom Thetsathirasak.
The airline’s CFO stated that most European routes are currently operating at approximately 90% capacity. Thai Airways also reserved the right to implement further fuel surcharges should oil prices continue to climb. The company is advising passengers to book flights as early as possible, anticipating limited availability on both European and other international routes over the next two weeks.
Rising Fuel Costs Pressure Airlines
The global aviation industry is facing growing cost pressures, with fuel representing a significant operating expense for airlines. Recent geopolitical instability and market uncertainty have driven up kerosene prices, prompting many carriers to adjust ticket prices and fuel surcharges to mitigate the impact. Here’s happening as demand for international travel remains strong.
Predicting passenger numbers for the second quarter is currently difficult, Cherdchom explained, citing the volatile situation in the Middle East as a potential short-term influence on demand. Thai Airways reported a net profit of 30.9 billion Baht for the 2025 fiscal year, a significant turnaround from the 26.9 billion Baht loss recorded the previous year. Revenue increased by 1.3% to 190 billion Baht, signaling a gradual economic recovery for the airline, which recently completed a court-supervised debt restructuring process.
Other Airlines Also Increasing Prices
Several other airlines have already announced price increases or higher fuel surcharges. AirAsia, a Southeast Asian low-cost carrier, has adjusted its fares and surcharges without specifying exact amounts. Air India will introduce phased fuel surcharges on domestic and international routes starting in mid-March, while Air New Zealand is also planning fare hikes. Cherdchom Therdthirasak, Thai Airways’ CFO, has been central to the airline’s financial strategy during this period.
Cathay Pacific announced it would be increasing its fuel surcharges in the short term. Hong Kong Airlines already significantly increased surcharges on several routes on March 12, 2026. Qantas, the Australian airline, is raising prices on international routes by around 5% on average, citing a 150% increase in kerosene prices over the past two weeks.
Airlines Respond Differently to Crisis
European and Asian airlines are also responding to the situation. SAS introduced temporary fuel-related price surcharges, while Finnair is incorporating rising costs directly into ticket prices rather than applying separate surcharges. Japan Airlines, however, stated it would maintain existing surcharge regulations for the time being.
the current turbulence in energy markets is increasingly impacting pricing in international air travel. Thai Airways’ decision reflects a broader trend within the industry to address rising operational costs.
