South Korean carriers will apply their highest-ever fuel surcharges to May flights after jet fuel benchmark prices surged amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS, the key refined-fuel price index for the Asia-Pacific region) averaged $214.71 per barrel between mid-March and mid-April, pushing surcharges into the top-tier Level 33 bracket — the first time the ceiling has been reached since the current pricing system was introduced in 2016. Korean Air, the country's largest carrier, announced that its one-way international surcharge will nearly double on some routes, reaching up to 564,000 won (roughly $384) for long-haul destinations such as New York, Paris, and London, prompting airlines to warn that travellers may rush to buy tickets in April before the higher fees take effect.