The combination of higher fuel prices and longer flight paths will squeeze airline margins and could push ticket prices higher in the coming weeks. Jet fuel prices surge after strikes on IranJet fuel prices have risen since the escalation of the conflict in late February, due to disruption to energy supply routes in the Middle East. Each additional hour in the air increases fuel burn and crew costs, raising operating costs substantially when multiplied across large airline networks. The combination of higher fuel costs and higher fuel burn could spell trouble for the airline industry, which has historically operated on razor-thin margins. Operational knock-on costs of rerouting around closed airspaceRerouting has a financial impact beyond fuel costs.

Source: Ethiopian News March 06, 2026 10:25 UTC