Air India has announced a new fuel surcharge of ₹399 on every domestic flight ticket.
The new charge will apply to tickets booked from March 12, 2026 onward.
The surcharge will also apply to flights within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation region.
The airline said the decision was taken because operating costs have increased sharply, mainly due to rising fuel prices.
As a result, passengers may notice slightly higher ticket prices for domestic travel.
Rising Jet Fuel Prices Driving the Decision
The main reason behind the new surcharge is the sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.
Airlines use Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to operate flights.
This fuel is one of the largest expenses for airlines, making up nearly 40 percent of total operating costs.
In recent weeks, ATF prices have increased significantly.
The rise has been linked to global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions, especially in energy-producing regions.
Airlines say that without adjusting fares, it would become difficult to continue operations while managing rising costs.
Surcharge Will Be Introduced in Phases
Air India will implement the new fuel surcharge in multiple phases depending on the route.
In the first phase starting March 12, the following charges will apply:
Domestic and SAARC routes: ₹399
West Asia routes: $10
Southeast Asia routes: $60
Africa routes: $90
A second phase will begin on March 18, when surcharges will increase for long-distance international routes such as Europe, North America, and Australia.
The airline may also announce further changes for Far East routes later.
What Happens to Tickets Already Booked?
Passengers who have already booked their tickets will not be affected by the new surcharge.
Air India confirmed that tickets issued before March 12 will remain unchanged.
However, if a passenger changes their travel date or itinerary, and the ticket needs to be recalculated, the new surcharge may apply.
How the Change Affects Travellers
For travellers, the new rule means that Air India tickets may become slightly more expensive in the coming weeks.
Fuel surcharges are common in the aviation industry and are often adjusted depending on global fuel prices.
Airlines regularly review these charges and may increase or reduce them depending on fuel price trends and global supply conditions.
