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Open PDFAviation Kerosene Price (Jet A-1) — Updated Weekly
The aviation kerosene Jet A-1 price is 0.88 EUR/litre (164.85 USD/barrel) in 22 April 2026, with a change of -3.6% compared to the previous week. In RON equivalent, the price is 4.48 RON/litre. The spread versus Brent crude is 74.47 USD/barrel.
Jet A-1 and Brent Price Trend — Last 52 Weeks
Comparative chart between aviation kerosene Jet A-1 price and Brent crude oil, updated weekly.
Regional Comparison — Jet A-1 Price by Region
Aviation kerosene price varies significantly by region due to differences in refining capacity, logistics costs and local taxes.
| Region | Price (USD/barrel) | Price (EUR/litre) | vs. Global Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 173.09 | 0.92 | +5.0% |
| North America | 164.85 | 0.88 | 0% |
| Asia Pacific | 170.62 | 0.91 | +3.5% |
| Middle East | 167.32 | 0.89 | +1.5% |
| Latin America | 171.44 | 0.91 | +4.0% |
| Africa | 174.74 | 0.93 | +6.0% |
Impact on Transport Costs
How the current kerosene price is reflected in flight and freight transport costs.
Aviation kerosene price directly influences the cost of flight tickets and freight transport. Airlines pass part of the fuel cost to passengers through fuel surcharges, which are added to the base ticket price. For freight, fuel can represent up to 30% of total cost, affecting the price of goods transported by air — from electronics and pharmaceuticals to fresh food and flowers. Weekly Jet A-1 price fluctuations are reflected in cargo rates with a 1-2 week delay.
Frequently asked questions about aviation kerosene
What is Jet A-1 aviation kerosene?
Jet A-1 aviation kerosene is the standard fuel used by commercial jet aircraft worldwide. It is a petroleum derivative obtained through refining, with a freezing point of maximum -47°C and a density between 775 and 840 kg/m³. Specifications are regulated internationally by ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91-91. Jet A-1 represents over 99% of aviation fuel consumed outside North America, where the Jet A variant (with a higher freezing point of -40°C) is also used. The price difference compared to diesel reflects the higher quality requirements for aviation.
How does kerosene price affect flight tickets?
Fuel accounts for between 25% and 40% of an airline's operating costs, depending on kerosene price and fleet efficiency. When Jet A-1 price rises, airlines apply fuel surcharges on tickets, which can range from 10 to 80 EUR depending on distance. For a Bucharest-London flight (~2,100 km), a 10 USD per barrel increase translates to approximately 5-8 EUR extra per ticket. Low-cost carriers are more sensitive to fluctuations as they have smaller margins, while traditional airlines use hedging strategies (futures contracts) to mitigate the impact. Use our calculator to estimate the impact on your preferred route.
What is the difference between kerosene and diesel?
Jet A-1 aviation kerosene and diesel are both middle-distillate petroleum products obtained during refining, but differ significantly. Kerosene has a boiling point between 150-275°C (versus 200-350°C for diesel), a much lower freezing point (-47°C versus -12°C for standard diesel) and contains specific antioxidant, antistatic and anti-icing additives. Kerosene price is typically 5-15% higher than diesel due to stricter quality specifications required in aviation. In Romania, diesel at the pump costs on average ~ RON/litre, while aviation kerosene would be equivalent to 4.48 RON/litre — but it is not sold at regular fuel stations.
Why does kerosene price increase?
Aviation kerosene price is influenced by several factors: international Brent crude oil price (the main factor, over 90% correlation), global flight demand (seasonal, peaking in summer and winter holidays), available refining capacity, geopolitical tensions affecting crude oil supply, USD exchange rate and strategic aviation fuel stocks. Additionally, new environmental regulations (EU ETS — the European emissions trading system, and CORSIA — the aviation emissions offset scheme) add supplementary costs of 2-5 USD/barrel. The Jet A-1 to Brent spread (crack spread) is currently 74.47 USD/barrel and varies depending on specific kerosene demand and regional refining capacity.
