Caribbean Airlines (CAL) will introduce a new fuel surcharge of between US$15 and US$25 on all regional and international tickets, as airlines worldwide respond to rising fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions.
The airline confirmed that the surcharge will apply per sector and take effect for all tickets purchased on or after April 10. Tickets purchased before that date will not be affected. Flights operating solely between Trinidad and Tobago will also remain exempt from the new fee.
The move comes as the aviation industry grapples with soaring jet fuel prices driven by the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. In a statement, Caribbean Airlines said the surcharge is intended only to offset part of the rising operational costs, noting that the airline will continue absorbing a significant portion to minimise the impact on passengers. The airline also emphasized that base fares remain unchanged.
However, despite base fares holding steady, the introduction of the fuel surcharge will effectively increase the overall cost of tickets.
Airlines globally are adopting similar measures as fuel costs spike. Industry players have introduced fuel surcharges, reduced capacity, and increased baggage fees as jet fuel now accounts for approximately 50 per cent of operating costs — nearly double the typical 27 per cent.
At least five U.S. carriers have already raised baggage fees by US$10, including Dallas-based American Airlines and Seattle-based Alaska Airlines, which both announced increases yesterday.
In response to questions from Guardian Media Limited, Caribbean Airlines said no decision has been made regarding baggage fee increases, though the airline continues reviewing its cost structure.
According to International Air Transport Association President and Director General Willie Walsh, higher ticket prices across the industry are likely unavoidable in the short term.
Speaking at the IATA World Data Symposium in Singapore on Wednesday, Walsh said airlines are facing rapid cost increases that will likely translate into higher fares.
“What the industry struggles with is the short-term reaction to the rapid increase, and it’s how quickly we can respond to that,” Walsh said. “This is not a crisis that is anywhere close to what we experienced in COVID. And airlines still have a lot of levers that they can pull to respond to this, but the immediate one will be to reflect the higher costs through higher ticket prices. It’s just inevitable that that will happen.”
Data from the International Air Transport Association shows global average jet fuel prices climbed to US$195.19 per barrel for the week ending March 27, 2026 — a 96.4 per cent increase in just one month compared to US$99.40 per barrel at the end of February.
While major U.S. airlines have largely avoided fuel surcharges — opting instead for permanent baggage fee increases — several international carriers have already implemented fuel surcharges. These include Air India, Air France‑KLM, British Airways, Emirates, and WestJet.
Industry analysts say the trend is likely to continue if fuel prices remain elevated, raising the possibility of higher travel costs for passengers across the Caribbean and beyond.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
