JAL and JTA Announce Revised International Fuel Surcharges for November–December 2026
JAL/JTA Japan Airlines (JAL) and Japan Transocean Air (JTA) have submitted a request to Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for approval to revise fuel surcharges on international passenger tickets purchased in Japan between November 1 and December 31, 2026.
The proposed revision reflects changes in international jet fuel prices and currency exchange rates during the assessment period of August and September 2026. The airlines determine their international fuel surcharge levels using the average price of Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel over a two-month period, alongside the corresponding Japanese yen exchange rate.
Under the proposed arrangement, tickets issued during November and December 2026 will be subject to a fuel surcharge corresponding to Zone S. Although the calculated surcharge would normally fall under Zone T based on the fuel price assessment, a government subsidy introduced as part of emergency measures addressing the situation in the Middle East will allow the airlines to apply the lower Zone S classification.
The revised surcharge structure will apply to eligible international passenger tickets issued during the two-month period, subject to government approval.
Fuel Prices and Exchange Rates Determine Surcharge Levels
JAL and JTA use a pricing mechanism linked to the international market price of Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel to establish their fuel surcharge levels. This approach allows the airlines to adjust the additional charges in response to changes in aviation fuel costs and currency movements.
For the latest assessment, the average price of Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel during August and September 2026 reached USD 159.19 per barrel. Over the same period, the average exchange rate was JPY 157.61 per US dollar.Based on these figures, the equivalent fuel price was calculated at JPY 25,089 per barrel. The airlines use this yen-denominated benchmark to determine the applicable surcharge zone under their established fuel surcharge policy.
Fuel surcharges are an important component of international airline ticket pricing because aviation fuel represents a significant operating expense. Changes in global energy markets can influence the cost of operating passenger flights, making periodic adjustments to fuel-related charges a common practice among international carriers.By linking surcharges to a defined assessment period, JAL and JTA can establish charges according to a consistent methodology rather than making adjustments solely on the basis of short-term price fluctuations.
Government Subsidy Influences the November–December 2026 Rates
The proposed surcharge classification reflects not only the underlying fuel price but also the effect of government support measures.
Based on the August–September assessment, the surcharge would ordinarily correspond to Zone T. However, the Japanese government has provided a subsidy as part of emergency mitigation measures responding to the situation in the Middle East during the assessment period.Taking this subsidy into account, JAL and JTA plan to apply Zone S to international passenger tickets issued between November 1 and December 31, 2026.
The adjustment demonstrates how government measures can influence the charges passed on to airline passengers when fuel prices are elevated. Without the subsidy-related adjustment, the calculated surcharge would normally be assigned to Zone T under the airlines’ pricing framework.The airlines have indicated that the planned surcharge levels remain subject to approval by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The requested rates should therefore be understood as proposed levels until the approval process is completed.
Effective Period: November 1 to December 31, 2026
The revised fuel surcharge arrangement is scheduled to cover international passenger tickets issued from November 1 through December 31, 2026.
The relevant period is based on the date the ticket is issued, rather than simply the date on which a passenger travels. Travellers purchasing international tickets during this period should therefore consult the airlines’ official fare and surcharge information to understand the charges applicable to their itinerary.
The actual amount payable can depend on the route and the applicable surcharge zone. Passengers travelling to different international destinations may face different surcharge amounts under the airlines’ published schedule.
JAL and JTA have provided a surcharge table for the November–December 2026 period to explain the planned charges across the applicable routes. The table includes destination-specific information, including separate references for certain Russian destinations identified in the schedule.
The airline notice identifies the following route references:
- Russia to Irkutsk.
- Russia to Novosibirsk.
Passengers should refer to the original surcharge table for the exact amount applicable to their destination and ticket. The route references alone do not establish the surcharge amount, and the published table should be consulted before making a booking or calculating the total airfare.
Application to JAL and Code-Share Flights
The fuel surcharge applies to flights operated by Japan Airlines as well as code-share flights operated by other airlines.Code-sharing allows an airline to market a flight under its own flight number even when another carrier operates the aircraft. As a result, passengers booking international journeys through JAL may sometimes travel on services operated by partner airlines.
The announced surcharge policy specifically notes that eligible code-share flights operated by other carriers are included. Travellers should review their ticket details and the applicable fare conditions to determine how the surcharge is assessed for their booking.
Passengers who purchase tickets through travel agencies or other booking channels may also wish to confirm the applicable charges with the ticketing provider. Checking the final fare breakdown can help travellers understand the relationship between the base fare, fuel surcharge and any other applicable taxes or fees.
What the Announcement Means for International Travellers
The revised surcharge schedule provides an indication of how JAL and JTA intend to account for fuel costs when issuing international passenger tickets during the final two months of 2026.
For travellers, the principal point is that the airlines plan to use Zone S instead of the normally calculated Zone T for the November–December ticketing period. This change reflects the government subsidy incorporated into the airlines’ assessment of the applicable surcharge.
However, the announcement does not mean that all international fares will have the same total price. The surcharge is only one component of the overall ticket cost, and the amount charged depends on the relevant destination and the airline’s published schedule. Base fares, taxes, booking conditions and other charges may also affect the final amount paid.
Travellers planning international journeys during this period should therefore check the surcharge applicable to their specific route and ticket issuance date. They should also verify the final approved rates, as the planned surcharge levels remain subject to approval by the Japanese government.The adjustment is particularly relevant for passengers purchasing tickets in Japan for international travel between November and December 2026. Reviewing the official policy before completing a booking can help passengers understand the additional fuel-related charges included in their ticket price.
Where to Find the Official Fuel Surcharge Information
JAL provides further information about its international fuel surcharge policy on its official website. Passengers can consult the policy page for details about the surcharge system and review the published schedule for the relevant ticketing period.Official JAL international fuel surcharge policy: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/if.html
The airlines’ announcement also includes a surcharge table for tickets issued between November 1 and December 31, 2026. Travellers should refer to this table for destination-specific amounts and any applicable route distinctions.As the proposed surcharge levels require government approval, passengers should check the official airline information for any subsequent updates before purchasing tickets.
About
Japan Airlines and Japan Transocean Air have requested approval to revise their international passenger fuel surcharges for tickets issued in Japan between November 1 and December 31, 2026. The proposal follows an assessment showing an average Singapore kerosene-type jet fuel price of USD 159.19 per barrel during August and September, equivalent to JPY 25,089 at the average exchange rate of JPY 157.61 per US dollar.
Although the assessment would normally place the surcharge under Zone T, the government subsidy introduced in response to the situation in the Middle East allows the airlines to plan for Zone S during the upcoming two-month period.
The planned rates will apply to eligible JAL-operated international flights and code-share services operated by other airlines, subject to government approval. Passengers are advised to check the official surcharge table and confirm the applicable charges for their routes and ticket issuance dates before booking.