The US-Iranian War has had a big impact on global tourism.
By Camille Van Puymbroeck, traveltomorrow.com (light editing to make it easier to read in American English)
On 8 May 2026, the European Commission published a document providing guidance concerning EU rules applicable to the tourism sector amid the crisis in the Middle East. The notice specifically bans airlines from adding fuel surcharges post-ticket sales.
The U.S.-Israel war on Iran has had a big impact on the global tourism sector. Aside from tourists avoiding the region, the conflict has also caused numerous flight cancellations, reroutings, and a (jet) fuel crisis. As fuel represents a considerable part of an airline’s operating costs, the jet fuel crisis has led to cancellations and price increases.
Fuel accounts for a significant proportion of air carriers’ costs.
“Fuel accounts for a significant proportion of air carriers’ costs and is well known to be subject to considerable price volatility. For this reason, many carriers hedge against fuel price volatility. When fuel costs remain high for extended periods, the additional cost is eventually passed through to higher airfares. Freedom of pricing under the Air Services Regulation allows airlines to adjust prices prior to selling a ticket to reflect changes in their operating costs, and to compete on that basis. Managing price volatility is a normal part of an airline’s business,” the European Commission writes.
Some carriers, such as KLM and Lufthansa, have responded to the rising costs by canceling less-profitable flights. Over the next few months, global flight schedules will therefore be reduced. The Commission reminds travelers that carriers are required to pay compensation for cancellations less than 14 days before the scheduled departure. This is true unless the passenger was offered re-routing in good time.
However, the operating air carrier can be exempted from paying compensation subject to proving that the cancellation is caused by “extraordinary circumstances” which could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. The Commission is of the view that a local fuel shortage preventing the operation of a flight may be considered an “extraordinary circumstance”. Cancellations caused by exceptionally high fuel prices, as opposed to local fuel shortages, cannot be considered as constituting “extraordinary circumstances.”.
EU does not allow adding fuel surcharges to ticket sales already completed.
Moreover, in its document, the European Commission specifically bans airlines from adding fuel surcharges post ticket sales.
“The rules on transparent pricing of air tickets in Regulation (EC) No 1008/200815 are clear.” The regulation requires that the final ticket price includes all unavoidable and foreseeable price elements. These costs must be displayed at all times when offering or publishing air fares to the general public. This obligation applies explicitly to the final ticket price payable. “Any retroactive change of the price is excluded,” the Commission explains.
The ban comes after Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea has been charging passengers fuel surcharges for weeks.
Fuel surcharges up to €14.00 per week. The airline explained the move as a ‘Fair Travel Promise’ policy in its latest terms and conditions – after reviewing fuel market prices seven days before a flight departure, passengers are either charged a surplus or reimbursed in case of a jet fuel price drop.
“The legality of our system has been confirmed by three independent law firms specializing in air transport and consumer law. The measure is transparent, it is temporary, and it works both ways (up or down),” Gilles Gosselin, Volotea’s country manager for France, said about the measure in an interview with Agence France-Presse.
Spanish consumer protection organization Facua has been calling the measure unlawful and has started an investigation into the mandatory fee. The European Commission now seems to agree with that position.
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