<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/virgin" rel="" target="_blank" title="Virgin "><span>Virgin</span></a><span> has joined Qantas and Jetstar in increasing its airfares after it saw the cost of jet fuel double within a month.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The airline today announced it would raise prices to align with the effects of the war in the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/middle-east" rel="" target="_blank" title="Middle East"><span>Middle East</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Costs across the aviation sector continue to rise, now significantly exacerbated by the situation in the Middle East," a Virgin spokesperson said in a statement.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-urged-to-crack-down-on-blind-boxes-due-to-gambling-fears/cc716416-1ac8-4bab-8014-3501cb47e154" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Australia urged to crack down on blind boxes due to gambling fears</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We are making necessary fare adjustments to reflect these cost pressures."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>9news.com.au understands there will be a five per cent price hike to domestic business and economy flights.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The price of jet fuel, which is one of the airline's largest expenses, was already rising due to inflation and has been made worse by the war.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/virgin-increases-domestic-airfares-by-five-per-cent-due-to-rising-oil-prices/8f5040b8-8669-457f-ba83-b736beaa9bb0" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/us-israel-attack-iran-airlines-qantas-air-india-and-air-new-zealand-raise-fare-prices-due-to-surging-jet-fuel-costs/3f574ad4-c3b0-4cf7-bdd8-2972ac0d8c1d" rel="" target="_blank" title="Qantas and Jetstar raised the price of their international fares "><span>Qantas and Jetstar raised the price of their international fares</span></a><span> last week for similar reasons.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Qantas International is increasing fares this week in response to rising costs, including the significant increases in jet fuel prices," a Qantas spokesperson said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"These increases will vary from route to route."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>International airlines like Air </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/india" rel="" target="_blank" title="India "><span>India</span></a><span> and Air </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-zealand" rel="" target="_blank" title="New Zealand"><span>New Zealand</span></a><span> have also raised their airfares.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Air New Zealand has signalled that more price hikes and cost-saving measures will be needed as it anticipates a significant hit to its second-half earnings.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-airport-delta-flight-from-los-angeles-hits-turbulence-and-launches-crew-into-the-air/f0cc702c-d4a5-4376-bfa8-6beebc86df25" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>LA to Sydney flight hits turbulence and launches crew into the air</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"If the conflict leads to continued elevated jet fuel costs, the airline may need to take further pricing action and adjust its network and schedule as required," the airline said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Air India group announced it will add a fuel surcharge of up to $US50 on all domestic and international routes and will adjust these accordingly with any changes in the war in Iran.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Air India regrets the need to increase fuel surcharges in this manner but emphasises that it is necessitated by factors outside its control," the airline said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Absent such fuel surcharges, it is likely that some flights would be unable to cover operating cost and would have to be cancelled."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/how-to-fly-to-europe-from-australia-without-stopping-over-middle-east-explained/f9f0fe00-fa2d-48e8-853b-95e843c617ff" rel="" target="_blank" title="International flights are flying through changed routes"><span>International flights are flying through changed routes</span></a><span> as the war in Iran affects airport operations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite the global situation, airlines like Qantas and Jetstar have reported strong demand for routes to Europe and Asia. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></strong></em><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google 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