KLM raise fares amid surging jet fuel prices; Suspends Middle East flights

KLM has announced that it will factor the steep increase in jet fuel costs into its ticket prices. A spokesperson did not specify how much fares would rise.

The conflict in Iran has disrupted oil and fuel deliveries from the Middle East, causing jet fuel prices, which rely heavily on the region, to surge by over 70 percent in just a month. “This will impact ticket prices, with the increase varying by destination and class,” a KLM spokesperson said.

Earlier, Scandinavian carrier SAS announced a temporary hike in ticket prices to offset rising jet fuel costs. “While we usually try to absorb cost changes, rises of this scale make it necessary to adjust prices to ensure stable and reliable operations,” a SAS spokesperson explained.

KLM said it is considering adding extra long-haul flights to Asia and Africa in response to shortages caused by the war in Iran. Earlier, German carrier Lufthansa announced it would add flights to capitalize on rising demand for these profitable routes. Travelers are looking for alternatives to Middle Eastern airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways, which are affected by airspace closures in their home regions.

KLM also announced that it will continue to temporarily suspend flights to Dubai because of the conflict in the Middle East. All flights to the city are canceled until March 28. “We understand that this may have a significant impact on our travelers and are doing everything we can to keep them as well informed as possible,” KLM said Wednesday morning in a statement on its website.

KLM has been suspending flights to Dubai since the war began over a week and a half ago. Initially, the suspension was extended in short increments for safety reasons, but the airline has now halted flights for over two weeks.

The airline said that affected passengers are being informed and can either rebook their flights at no extra cost or request a full refund. The airline added, “We are continuously monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with the relevant authorities. Passengers will be notified immediately once flights can resume.”

In a short separate statement, KLM announced that flights to the Saudi cities of Riyadh and Dammam will also be suspended until Thursday, March 12. The airline said it is “closely following” developments in the Middle East and continuously evaluates whether it is safe to fly to specific destinations.

The airline remains “available” to help repatriate stranded passengers, with the operation coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to KLM.