March 20 (Reuters) - Virgin Australia is adjusting fares as rising costs across the aviation sector are "exacerbated by the situation in the Middle East", the Australian carrier said in a statement to Reuters on Friday.

Here are some details : 

* The airline said on Friday costs across the aviationsector continue to rise, now significantly exacerbated by thesituation in the Middle East. * Shares of the company closed 5% lower after dropping asmuch as 6.2% to their record low level of A$2.42 during thesession. * The company's stock has shed 22% since the start of theMiddle East conflict in February end. * The airline said its services operated by Qatar Airwaysremain impacted by the Middle East situation, with servicescancelled up to and including at least Saturday, 28 March 2026,its website showed. * Virgin Australia in February said it was hedging 85% offuel and 94% of foreign exchange for the second half of itsfinancial year. * Virgin, in its first half results in February, highlightedthat cost pressures persist across the industry, with costsgrowing above inflation in several areas of the aviation supplychain, including airport charges and maintenance.