A number of airlines in Asia are temporarily suspending routes and scaling back frequencies on others in an effort to contain costs and conserve jet fuel.
Fuel is a major expense for carriers generally, and any fluctuation in the price can affect the economics of their route networks. Some airlines have also responded with new surcharges and fees.
Fuel prices have shot up as a result of the conflict in the Middle East, and the volatility is being felt acutely in East Asia, where China and Thailand, two of the region’s largest aviation fuel suppliers, have halted exports to protect their own reserves. This is forcing fuel importers, including in Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia, to compete with larger buyers for limited supplies.
Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific will halt some flights from the middle of May until the end of June.
The airline said it will cancel almost 2% of its scheduled passenger flights from May 16 to June 30.
Cathay Pacific has also levied a 34% surcharge on all passenger flights from April 1.
Budget carrier HK Express will cut around 6% of flights from May 11.
Thailand
Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, and Thai AirAsia X have temporarily suspended select service in their summer 2026 timetables.
Thai Lion Air will halt flights between Don Mueang and Seoul Incheon from May 9 to Sept. 30.
Nok Air has suspended its Chiang Mai-Udon Thani route through April.
Thai AirAsia has halted several routes, including Suvarnabhumi-Narathiwat, Don Mueang-Xi’an, Hong Kong-Okinawa, Phuket-Chennai, and Phuket-Kochi.
Thai AirAsia X is also temporarily suspending flights between Don Mueang and Shanghai and Don Mueang and Riyadh.
Thai Airways imposed a 10% fuel surcharge in early April.
Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier VietJet have also been impacted by rising fuel costs. Both carriers have suspended a number of domestic and regional flights.
Philippines
Philippine Airlines and low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific have also suspended several domestic and regional services.
