Summer travel costs rising
Jet‑fuel costs are climbing and airlines warn that could translate into higher summer fares — analysts reported. At the same time, Europe is rolling out new biometric entry rules that may lengthen airport queues explained, and carriers like Singapore Airlines are adding direct European flights to skirt Middle East disruptions announced.
Argus' U.S. jet‑fuel index hit $3.99 per gallon on March 13 reported), a level tracked across major U.S. hubs that reflects refinery‑gate prices rather than retail pump costs noted). That $3.99 figure follows a roughly 60% jump from about $2.50 per gallon in late February, a two‑week spike flagged by industry trackers as the Iran‑regional conflict intensified documented). United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby warned airfare increases will "probably start quick" after the fuel surge at an industry event on March 5 said), and carriers including Air New Zealand have already suspended forecasts and adjusted fares amid "unprecedented volatility" in fuel markets reported). Deutsche Bank's three‑week airfare tracker showed ticket prices rising sharply week‑on‑week across transatlantic and long‑haul routes in mid‑March found), while a recent industry analysis estimated U.S. average ticket prices might need to climb about 10–11% to offset the latest jet‑fuel shock estimated). The EU's Entry/Exit System began phased deployment on October 12, 2025 and is scheduled for full implementation by April 10, 2026, replacing passport stamps with digital records states); the system captures a facial image and fingerprints for non‑EU short‑stay travellers to create automated entry/exit records explains). GOV.UK guidance highlights tightened passport rules under the EES — passports must have been issued within the last 10 years and must not expire within three months of leaving the Schengen zone advises), and consumer outlets have reported longer queues at some Schengen border points during the biometric enrolment rollout reported). Singapore Airlines and other carriers added extra nonstop Asia–Europe capacity in March to avoid Gulf hub disruptions, with SIA operating additional London Heathrow services on March 18 and March 25 announced), and Changi Airport Group reporting more than 15 extra Singapore‑Europe flights were scheduled in March as airlines rerouted around Middle East airspace closures noted).
