Taiwan’s major airlines are holding fuel surcharges steady in May 2026, keeping rates at US$45 for short-haul international flights and US$117 for long-haul routes despite rising aviation fuel costs.
Taiwan Focus reported on May 5, 2026, that EVA Airways, Starlux Airlines, and China Airlines have all confirmed they will maintain the surcharge levels that took effect on April 7, 2026.
The decision means passengers departing Taiwan on short-haul routes, including flights to Hong Kong, will continue paying US$45 per flight segment. Travelers on long-haul routes will pay US$117 per segment.
Airlines absorbing most of the fuel cost increase
The freeze comes even as fuel prices have climbed well beyond the industry baseline. Data from state-run refiner CPC Corp. showed that average aviation fuel prices reached US$208.78 per barrel in May 2026, far above the US$40 benchmark used to calculate surcharges.
That gap means carriers are shouldering a significant portion of the added cost themselves.
EVA Air estimated its additional fuel expense at US$797.82 per passenger on long-haul routes and US$133.50 on short-haul flights. After accounting for the approved surcharges, the airline said it is absorbing around 85% of the extra cost on long-haul services and 66% on short-haul flights, up slightly from 65% in April.
Starlux Airlines placed its additional fuel cost at US$271.14 per passenger on long-haul routes and US$61.58 on short-haul flights. The carrier said it is absorbing roughly 66% and 43% of those costs, respectively, both slightly higher than the 64% and 42% recorded the previous month.
Surcharges had already jumped in April
The current rates were set following an announcement by the Civil Aviation Administration on April 1, 2026. At that time, surcharges rose from US$27.50 to US$45 for short-haul flights and from US$71.50 to US$117 for long-haul routes, effective April 7, 2026.
China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest carrier, said it would continue monitoring global crude oil price trends while following the CAA’s pricing mechanism.
