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What You Need to Know About Aviation Fuel Prices

Several factors, from war to inflation, are making filling your aircraft more expensive.

A tanker truck carrying aircraft fuel. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Aviation fuel prices have surged dramatically due to tightened global crude oil supply from sanctions against Russia and increased demand from recovering airline travel, booming freight markets, and general aviation.
  • This rise significantly impacts pilots, who are cutting back on flights and seeking cheaper fuel, and airlines, leading to higher ticket prices and flight schedule reductions.
  • High prices are expected to continue at least through the summer, with a potential decrease forecasted for 2023, subject to geopolitical factors like the Russia-Ukraine war, inflation, and broader economic trends.
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Just about any pilot topping off the tanks of a turboprop or light jet at the FBO lately has experienced sticker shock or at least a degree of buyer’s remorse. Of course, prices for nearly any fuel—and many other products—are way up these days. But it seems like aviation fuel prices have surged at a higher rate than most. 

Here are the answers to a few of the questions pilots have been asking about surging fuel prices.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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