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JAL and JTA Fuel Surcharge Adjustment for International Flights

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Transocean Air (JTA) have announced an essential revision concerning the fuel surcharge for their international flights, set to take effect from May 2026. The change comes in response to higher-than-expected fuel market prices. This adjustment reflects the shifting economic landscape and aims to address rising operational costs for airlines.

New Implementation Timeline and Pricing

Effective from May 1, 2026, up until June 30, 2026, JAL and JTA will implement an updated fuel surcharge mechanism that will apply to tickets issued within this period. Previously, adjustments were based on the average fuel market prices over the previous two months, with updated charges being applied to tickets issued two months later. However, the new policy specifies that charges will now be applied starting from the month after ticket issuance.

Analyzing the fuel market data, the average Singapore kerosene price for the two-month period from February to March 2026 reached approximately $146.99 per barrel. When considering the average exchange rate during that period, which was ¥156.99 per dollar, the converted cost of fuel comes to ¥23,076 per barrel. As a result, the new surcharge guidelines categorize these prices under Zone R, with a threshold of ¥23,000.

In light of the urgent relief measures from the government concerning the Middle East situation, the applicable surcharge for tickets issued in May and June 2026 will be set according to Zone Q, which stipulates a price point of ¥22,000.

Key Conditions and Considerations

Duration of Surcharge Application

1. The fuel surcharge will remain unchanged for tickets issued from May 1 to June 30, 2026, regardless of fluctuations in future aviation fuel prices. However, adjustments may occur depending on governmental approvals regarding pricing and application periods.
2. Details regarding fuel surcharges for tickets issued from July 2026 onwards will be disclosed in June 2026.
3. If the two-month market average falls below ¥6,000 per barrel, the fuel surcharge will not be applied.

Fare Details

1. Both adults and children will be subject to the same fuel surcharge. Infants under 2 years old who do not occupy their own seats will not incur this fee, but they will be subject to similar charges when using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank international award tickets.
2. In cases where passengers seek refunds after purchase, the fuel surcharge will not incur any cancellation fees.

Additional Information

Passengers are encouraged to stay informed about the latest updates and conditions regarding the fuel surcharge by visiting the official JAL website at www.jal.co.jp/inter/if.html. This revision reflects JAL and JTA's ongoing commitment to transparent pricing and customer service, even amid fluctuating market conditions.

Travelers can anticipate these changes while planning their trips in the coming months, enabling them to make informed decisions about their travel arrangements with Japan Airlines and JTA.