Fuel costs for Pakistan International Airlines have surged by 34 percent due to the ongoing crisis in the Gulf region prompting the national carrier to increase fuel surcharges on both domestic and international flights.

A PIA spokesperson said the airline will raise the fuel surcharge by $20 on domestic routes and by up to $100 on international flights. The move comes as rising oil prices continue to push up the cost of jet fuel, which represents a major portion of airline operating expenses.

According to the spokesperson, the regional conflict has significantly disrupted airline operations. Over the past 12 days, about 165 PIA flights were cancelled, affecting both domestic and international travel schedules.

Global oil markets have also been impacted, with Brent crude oil climbing close to $100 per barrel amid concerns about supply disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran. Meanwhile jet fuel prices in Northwest Europe reached around $1,536 per metric ton, near a record high.

Air travel across the region has been severely affected, with airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad Airways among those forced to cancel thousands of flights, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded.