SEOUL — Domestic air travelers, particularly those heading to Jeju Island, are facing mounting financial pressure as domestic flight fuel surcharges are set to rise again next month.

According to major carriers Korean Air and Asiana Airlines on the 6th, the one-way domestic fuel surcharge for November has been set at 25,300 won. This marks a 21.1% increase from October's surcharge of 20,900 won. Other domestic airlines are widely expected to follow suit with similar hikes.

Domestic fuel surcharges fluctuated wildly earlier this year. After sitting at 7,700 won in April, surcharges spiked to 34,100 won in May due to the Middle East conflict, peaking at an all-time high of 35,200 won in June. While they temporarily stabilized in July (24,200 won) and August (16,500 won), renewed instability in the Middle East pushed rates back up to 20,900 won in September and October, culminating in November's upcoming increase.

November's surcharge is more than three times higher than April's pre-surge level, raising concerns that the added cost will further dampen domestic travel demand.

Slumping Domestic Tourism in Jeju

This financial hurdle comes at a vulnerable time for Jeju's tourism industry, which has been grappling with a marked decline in domestic visitors since September.

Provisional data shows that 1,142,600 travelers visited Jeju in September—comprising 885,000 domestic and 257,600 foreign visitors—down 3.5% from the same period last year (1,184,200). Notably, domestic tourist numbers dropped by 8.6%, widening the contraction seen in August (-2.5%). In contrast, foreign tourist arrivals surged by 19.1%, outpacing August's growth rate (10.9%).

The downturn has continued into October. Between the 1st and 5th of this month, Jeju welcomed 206,900 visitors, a 13.5% decrease compared to 239,300 during the same period last year. Domestic visitors plummeted by 22.1% to 162,000, while foreign visitors jumped 42.7% to 44,900.

Industry analysts note that the steep decline in domestic tourists this month is partly attributable to last year's exceptionally long holiday cluster overlapping National Foundation Day, Chuseok, and Hangeul Day from October 3 to 9. Meanwhile, the influx of foreign tourists was largely driven by China's National Day Golden Week holiday (October 1–7).

With airfares climbing and domestic travel sentiment cooling, local tourism stakeholders remain deeply concerned about the headwinds facing the region as the year draws to a close.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]