20 March 2026

Airfreight Update: Fuel Price Volatility and Airline Surcharges

Ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East and increased risk surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit route, continue to place upward pressure on fuel prices. As fuel costs rise, airlines continue to implement variable fuel-related surcharges.

Current market impacts include:

• Variable fuel surcharges applied across multiple trade lanes
• Immediate pricing increases from airlines, often with limited notice
• Fuel-driven market rate increases replacing previously stable pricing structures
• Flight cancellations and service consolidations impacting available uplift

While the situation remains fluid, we want to ensure customers are aware of the latest developments affecting international airfreight services.

Airfreight

Airlines are responding rapidly to rising aviation fuel costs through a combination of fuel surcharge increases, market-driven rate adjustments and operational changes including the cancellation of selected services where costs have become unsustainable.

We have received multiple airline notifications advising of immediate fuel surcharge and pricing increases, effective from mid-March. At the same time, capacity is tightening as airlines cancel or consolidate flights, placing further pressure on space availability and rates.

Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of airline-specific changes, including effective dates, surcharge types, and applicable rates