• Cathay Pacific will double fuel surcharges effective March 18 due to rising jet fuel prices.
• Short-haul flight surcharges increase to HK$290, while long-haul flights see surcharges rise to HK$1,164.
• Greater Bay Airlines joins the trend with surcharges rising over 100% on selected routes.
• Other airlines, including Hong Kong Airlines, have also raised surcharges amid increasing fuel costs.

Cathay Pacific Airways announced plans to nearly double its fuel surcharges, effective March 18, citing a significant surge in the price of jet fuel, which has "approximately doubled" since the beginning of the Iran conflict. The hike will impact all routes, with long-haul flights surcharges rising from HK$569 to HK$1,164, and medium-haul flights increasing from HK$264 to HK$541, reflecting increases of 104.6% and 104.9% respectively. For short-haul flights, the surcharge will rise to HK$290 from HK$142, a substantial jump that directly links to the ongoing war in the Middle East, according to SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Hong Kong Airlines has similarly adjusted its fuel surcharges upward, initiating increases of up to 35% as a direct response to rising fuel costs associated with the Middle East conflict. Greater Bay Airlines has also announced it will more than double its surcharges starting March 18, indicating that rising operational costs are a widespread issue for air carriers in the region. Charges for flights to and from destinations excluding mainland China and select others will see surcharge rises of over 100%, according to SCMP and Bangkok Post.

The changes in fuel surcharges are drawing mixed reactions from travelers, with some expressing that the adjustments might discourage spontaneous travel decisions. Passengers report that while they intend to continue flying, increasing costs might lead to more careful planning and consideration of travel options. This sentiment reflects broader concerns about how fluctuating fuel prices directly impact travel budgets amid the conflicts affecting oil supply chains and air travel logistics, as highlighted by feedback in SCMP and Channel News Asia.