Families planning trips between Australia and Japan face a significant bill shock, with All Nippon Airways more than doubling its fuel surcharge from May 1, 2026 – and giving travellers less than a week to act.
The one-way surcharge on Australia-Japan itineraries will jump from AU$253 to AU$595, an increase of 135 percent. For return travellers, that means paying AU$1,190 in surcharges alone, up from AU$506.
The impact is even starker for families. A family of four on a return trip to Japan will pay AU$4,760 in fuel surcharges under the new rates – compared to AU$2,024 previously – an extra AU$2,736 before a single dollar of base fare is counted.
The hike comes as the global aviation industry grapples with a severe jet fuel crisis. Jet fuel prices nearly hit $1,800 per tonne in early April, more than doubling at their peak since the start of the Iran war. The crisis stems from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the world’s oil trade passes.
ANA is far from alone. Here’s what’s happening across the industry:
Cathay Pacific was one of the first movers, roughly doubling its fuel surcharges on tickets from mid-March.
Cathay Pacific fuel surcharge comes into play from tomorrow as oil prices continue to surge
Air France-KLM announced that roundtrip economy fares on long-haul flights could rise by around 50 euros, while Air India introduced surcharges on certain routes, with increases of up to $50 for tickets to Europe, North America and Australia. Fortune
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the cost of plane tickets globally could jump as much as 9 per cent.
