Jet Fuel Price Surge Pushes Airfares Up Across Pakistan
A sharp increase in jet fuel prices in Pakistan has led to a significant rise in both domestic and international airfares, placing an additional financial burden on travelers. The price of aircraft fuel surged by Rs154 per liter, bringing the new rate to Rs342 per liter, which has substantially raised operating costs for airlines.
As a result, airlines have transferred the increased costs to passengers. Domestic airfares have risen by Rs2,800 to Rs5,000 per passenger, with routes connecting Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and other major cities already reflecting the new pricing.
The impact is even greater on international flights, where fares have increased by Rs10,000 to Rs28,000 per ticket, depending on the destination. Flights from Pakistan to the Middle East and Central Asia have seen an average hike of around Rs15,000 per ticket.
Long-haul routes have experienced the largest increase. Flights from Pakistan to Toronto and Manchester have recorded fare hikes of up to Rs28,000 per passenger. Following these adjustments, one-way economy class tickets on these routes have exceeded Rs250,000, making international travel considerably more expensive for Pakistani passengers. Airline sources say the unprecedented rise in jet fuel costs has directly forced carriers to revise their ticket prices across multiple routes.
