Jet Fuel Shortage 2026: How the Iran War Affects Your Flights from Switzerland – A Guide

If you've tried booking a flight from Zurich to Bangkok or Singapore in the past few days, you've probably seen it with your own eyes: prices are through the roof. This isn't a temporary blip – it's the new reality in the midst of a jet fuel shortage triggered by the war in Iran. I'm not talking about a small price adjustment – we're talking about surcharges that really stand out on the screen. Let me, as a seasoned industry veteran, explain what's going on and how you can still reach your destination unscathed.

Why the Iran War is now hitting your ticket price

Many people think a war in the Persian Gulf is far away. Far from it. Since late February, the Strait of Hormuz – the world's most important oil and fuel chokepoint – has been effectively closed. That has set off a domino effect that hits us directly in the wallet. Industry insiders expect Swiss households to face around 1,700 francs in additional annual costs. A big chunk of that comes from flying.

The price of jet fuel has nearly doubled since the start of the year, now sitting at about 1,650 dollars per tonne. And since jet fuel is the lifeblood of any airline (making up as much as 30 percent of operating costs), carriers have to react. They can't just pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The big jet fuel shortage review: What's the situation on the ground?

Before you panic: a jet fuel shortage doesn't mean planes will run out of fuel tomorrow. But supply chains are extremely strained. A technical director from a German airline warned just last week that availability at some Asian airports is already "difficult." Imagine flying to Phuket but the fuel for your return flight is scarce. That's not a fantasy – it's a real concern in the industry right now.

For us in Switzerland, things still look stable, thankfully. Swiss and Edelweiss assure that operations at the Zurich hub are running normally. But the air is getting thinner – both on the plane and in the prices.

The ultimate guide: How to cope with the jet fuel shortage to your advantage

Yes, you read that right. Even in this crisis, there are strategies to avoid getting ripped off. Here's my jet fuel shortage guide with the key dos and don'ts:

• Book early, but flexibly: The CEO of an Irish low-cost airline advises booking flights as early as possible. He expects prices to keep rising if the war drags on. But: look for flexible fares. For package holidays, a price increase of up to 8 percent of the total price is allowed after booking if jet fuel prices explode. That's a nasty clause many people don't know about.
• Avoid shaky hubs: Flights connecting through Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi are risky right now. The Gulf airlines are struggling massively with the restrictions. Better to take a direct flight or connect via a stable European hub.
• Keep an eye on Switzerland: Swiss and Edelweiss have raised their "International Surcharge" (fuel surcharge). But thanks to smart hedging, they aren't yet at their limit. Long-haul flights to North America might offer better value for money in the short term than the overcrowded Asian routes.

What does the jet fuel shortage mean for summer vacation 2026?

I won't sugarcoat it: it's going to be an expensive summer. Reliable sources in the aviation industry report that flights to Bangkok or Mumbai have temporarily cost two to five times as much. That will ease a bit, but prices will remain high. Interestingly, many Swiss travellers are rethinking their plans. Instead of flying to Australia or Thailand, the trend is swinging back strongly toward local getaways or classic Mediterranean destinations. Demand for Spain, Italy or Turkey is booming because prices there aren't going quite as crazy.

My advice: if you absolutely must travel far this summer, accept the extra cost as a given and book immediately. If you hesitate, you'll either end up with no seat at all or pay exorbitant prices. And forget about hoping for falling prices – as long as fighter jets circle over the Middle East, the jet fuel shortage will be our constant companion.