. Japan’s major airlines are considering raising fuel surcharges as the conflict in the Middle East pushes up energy costs. However, officials concerned said that no formal decision has been taken yet.

Fuel costs have soared in international aviation as regional tensions have escalated since the U.S.-Israel invasion of Iran in late February. At the same time, the situation has been further complicated by Iran affecting the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered important for global oil supply.

According to Japanese media, major airlines in import-dependent countries are also likely to raise surcharges. Japan Airlines (JAL) President Mitsuko Tottori hinted that additional charges could be imposed on customers.

Officials at JAL and rival ANA said their companies had not yet decided to increase the fuel surcharge. However, they said that the price of fuel will be determined from June on the basis of fluctuations in fuel prices in February and March.

Tottori said there could be some burden on consumers even after internal efforts to control costs. He said that if fuel prices continue to rise at the current rate, the company could have to pay about 30 billion yen of additional expenses every month.

The rise in oil prices has put pressure on Asian economies that rely on oil imports from the Middle East. Some airlines in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan have already increased fuel surcharges.