Air travel is set to become more expensive as rising aviation fuel costs put pressure on airlines.
Air India Group has announced changes to its fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flights. The revised charges are expected to increase ticket prices for passengers in the coming days.
The changes will apply from April 8, according to the information provided by the airline.
Air India Changes Fuel Surcharge for Domestic Flights
Air India Group said it is revising fuel surcharges because of the sharp increase in jet fuel prices.
For domestic flights, ticket prices could increase by around ₹299 to ₹899, depending on the distance of the journey.
The new pricing system will use a distance-based surcharge grid instead of applying the same fuel surcharge to all domestic routes.
The revised system will also apply to Air India Express flights.
International Flight Tickets Could Cost More
Passengers travelling internationally could also see a significant increase in ticket prices.
According to the information provided, international flight fares could rise by approximately ₹2,200 to ₹26,000, depending on the route and other applicable factors.
This means passengers planning international trips may need to keep a higher travel budget.
Why Are Flight Tickets Becoming More Expensive?
The main reason is the sharp increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices.
Jet fuel prices have reportedly risen from around $99.40 per barrel at the end of February to $195.19 per barrel, putting substantial pressure on airline operating costs.
The increase has been linked to the Middle East crisis, which has pushed fuel prices higher.
Since fuel is one of the biggest expenses for airlines, a sharp rise in ATF prices can directly affect ticket prices.
Government Caps Domestic ATF Price Increase
The Air India Group said it is taking a balanced approach after the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Ministry of Civil Aviation decided to cap the increase in domestic ATF prices at 25%.
As part of the revised approach, Air India is removing the earlier uniform surcharge on domestic flights.
Instead, passengers will see charges based on the distance of their journey.
IndiGo Had Also Increased Its Fuel Surcharge
Air India is not the only airline responding to the rise in fuel costs.
IndiGo had earlier also increased its fuel surcharge on flights.
A fuel surcharge is an additional amount added to the ticket price when airlines face a sharp rise in fuel expenses.
The additional charge helps airlines manage the higher cost of operating flights.
What Should Air Travellers Expect?
Passengers should expect flight fares to remain under pressure as long as jet fuel prices remain high.
The final increase will depend on factors such as the route, travel distance and type of flight.
Those planning to travel by air should therefore check the latest fare and surcharge details before booking their tickets.
