Air France, KLM hike long-haul ticket prices

PARIS, Mar 12 (AFP): Air France-KLM said Thursday it is raising long-haul ticket prices due to soaring jet fuel prices caused by the the Iran war.

"The current geopolitical situation in the Middle East has led to a sudden and significant increase in fuel prices, particularly kerosene. As a result, Air France and KLM are increasing their fares on long-haul flights for tickets issued from Wednesday, March 11, 2026," the group said in a statement, confirming a report in financial daily Les Echos.

The group said economy class return fares would typically increase by 50 euros ($58) as it followed carriers such as SAS, Cathay Pacific, Air India and Qantas in hiking fares.

Low-cost carrier Transavia, owned by the group, has elected not to increase its fares as yet, but is "monitoring the situation closely and will take action if necessary," a spokesperson told AFP.

The average global price of aviation fuel reached nearly $168 per barrel on Wednesday, according to the Platts benchmark index, slightly down on Monday but double January 2 levels.