Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Are the glory days of cheap flights in Asia over?

Rising fuel prices are squeezing Asia’s budget airlines - what happens next? We speak to aviation analysts Shukor Yusof and Brendan Sobie about higher fares.

If you’ve ever booked a flight across Asia for less than US$100, you might have asked the question many travellers are now wondering: was that a temporary golden age, or can cheap travel make a comeback?

Asia used to be the home of ultra-cheap flights, but many travellers say those days are fading fast. Rising fuel prices, aircraft shortages and heavy post-pandemic debt are putting pressure on budget airlines across the region.

In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi speaks to aviation analysts Shukor Yusof and Brendan Sobie about whether the glory days of low-cost travel in Asia are really over. We also hear from travel blogger Jaclynn Seah, who has noticed airfare increases and changing travel costs across Asia.

They discuss how rising fuel costs are affecting Asian airlines, whether passengers will keep paying more, which carriers are most exposed, whether cheap fares can return, aircraft delivery delays and whether China’s Comac could eventually reshape the market.

Release date:

17 minutes

On radio

Saturday 23:32GMT

Featured

  • .

Broadcasts

  • Saturday 23:32GMT
  • Sunday 03:32GMT
  • Sunday 04:32GMT

Podcast