Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has confirmed it will introduce a fuel surcharge of US$15- 25 per sector on all regional and international tickets purchased on or after April 10. The announcement was reported by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian online.
Tickets bought before April 10 will not attract the surcharge, and flights between Trinidad and Tobago remain exempt.
CAL explained that the surcharge is necessary to offset rising jet fuel costs linked to the ongoing US/Israel – Iran conflict. In its statement, the airline stressed that base fares remain unchanged and that it continues to absorb a significant portion of the fuel increases to reduce the impact on passengers.
The Guardian noted that airlines worldwide are taking similar measures, with several US carriers recently raising baggage fees by US$10. CAL said no decision has yet been made about baggage fees, though its cost structure remains under review.
For passengers, the surcharge means higher ticket prices even without a base fare increase. According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) president Willie Walsh, higher fares are “inevitable” in the short term as airlines respond to fuel costs that now account for nearly half of operating expenses.
Walsh, speaking at IATA’s World Data Symposium in Singapore, added that while airlines have strategies to manage the challenge, concerns remain about possible fuel shortages. He predicted prices could stabilize by year’s end as refineries in countries like India and Nigeria adjust supply.