Jet fuel hits Rs476.97 per litre as airlines pass costs to passengers

Pakistan’s jet fuel price climbed again on Saturday, rising Rs5 per litre to Rs476.97, marking the fifth increase in just 28 days. The surge comes amid the oil supply shock triggered by the US-Israel attack on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation.

The month has seen an unprecedented spike: jet fuel opened March at Rs188 per litre, jumping Rs288 per litre in less than a month. A day earlier, authorities had already raised the price by Rs83 per litre, intensifying pressure on airlines and passengers alike.

Airlines have responded by sharply increasing fares. One-way tickets from Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore have reached Rs40,000, while “chance seats” on domestic routes are now priced above Rs50,000, reflecting increases of up to 150 percent.

International travel has also been hit. Economy-class fares to the Middle East, Toronto, Paris, and Manchester now range between Rs300,000 and Rs700,000, according to airline sources.

The jet fuel surge adds to earlier hikes in diesel and petrol this month, which have already intensified the cost of living. Commuters face rising transport fares, and prices for daily essentials such as fruits, vegetables, and other household items have climbed.

At petrol pumps, tensions have flared, with attendants reportedly refusing to dispense fuel in quantities smaller than one litre. The spike follows a government-approved Rs200 per litre increase in the fuel levy on high-octane petrol for luxury vehicles, compounding financial pressure on consumers.

Analysts warn that unless the oil supply situation stabilises, further increases in airline operating costs could push domestic and international fares even higher.