Airline stocks experienced a collective decline. At the time of writing, China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (HKG: 00670) was down 3.79% at HK$3.55. Air China Limited (HKG: 00753) fell 3.35% to HK$4.62. China Southern Airlines Company Limited (HKG: 01055) decreased by 2.09%, trading at HK$3.74.

The market movement is influenced by heightened concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East, which pushed U.S. crude oil prices up by over 2% earlier today. Reports indicate that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its aerospace force launched missile and drone strikes on the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

In related news, domestic fuel surcharges in China were reduced for the first time this year in June. For routes over 800 kilometers, the surcharge was lowered from 170 yuan to 150 yuan, while for routes under 800 kilometers, it was reduced from 90 yuan to 80 yuan.

Despite the short-term operational pressure from higher oil prices, analysis suggests the strong first-quarter earnings from airlines have preliminarily validated improved profitability driven by better supply-demand dynamics. The fundamental logic of a sustained industry recovery remains intact, with expectations for a gradual improvement in sector conditions from a cyclical low.