2 hrs ago
Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges as Aviation Fuel Costs Climb
Airlines are adding extra charges to some plane tickets because jet fuel has become more expensive.
Air India and Air India Express will charge different amounts depending on how far someone flies.
They also set different charges for some international destinations.
Air India Express applies its change to new bookings from midnight on October 9, while Air India applies it from 11 a.m.
that day.
Akasa Air is also adding or changing fuel charges from October 9.
IndiGo had already raised its charges from October 6.
The airlines say fuel prices have been changing and putting pressure on their costs.
These extra charges are meant to help cover some of those higher fuel expenses.
Air India and Air India Express set domestic one-way surcharges at ₹400–₹1,200, depending on flight distance.
Their revised international surcharges are $215 for North America, $210 for Australia, $135 for Europe including the UK, and $55 for West Asia and the Middle East.
For new bookings on October 9, Air India Express changes apply from midnight and Air India changes apply from 11 a.m. IST.
Akasa Air introduced domestic surcharges of ₹375–₹1,150 and set a ₹2,500 charge on specified international routes, effective for new bookings from 12:01 a.m. October 9.
The airlines cited volatile, rising aviation turbine fuel costs; reports also describe IndiGo’s earlier surcharge increases, effective October 6.
- Who
- Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air announced surcharge changes; IndiGo had announced an earlier increase.
- What
- The airlines introduced or revised fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights.
- Where
- Domestic routes and specified international routes served by the airlines.
- When
- The changes described take effect for new bookings on October 9; IndiGo's earlier changes began October 6.
- Why
- The airlines cited rising and volatile aviation turbine fuel prices and higher operating costs.
Airline rationale
Passenger impact
Reason for surcharges
Airline rationale
The airlines said volatile and rising fuel prices have increased operating costs, and the added charges help partially offset higher fuel expenses.
Passenger impact
The reports say the increases are expected to make tickets more expensive for passengers.
Key facts
- Air India and Air India Express domestic charges
- ₹400 up to 500 km; ₹600 for 501–1,000 km; ₹850 for 1,001–1,500 km; ₹1,200 beyond 1,500 km.
- Air India and Air India Express international charges
- $215 North America; $210 Australia; $135 Europe including the UK; $55 West Asia and the Middle East.
- Air India Express start time
- New bookings from 00:00 IST on October 9.
- Air India start time
- Bookings from 11:00 IST on October 9.
- Akasa Air domestic charges
- ₹375 up to 500 km; ₹600 for 501–1,000 km; ₹900 for 1,001–1,500 km; ₹1,150 for 1,501 km and above.
- Akasa Air specified international routes
- ₹2,500 one-way for flights between India and Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Akasa Air start time
- New bookings from 00:01 IST on October 9.
- IndiGo timing
- Its revised fuel charges applied to new bookings from October 6.
Quotes
Tata Group airlines
Air India and Air India Express, airlines owned by the Tata Group.
“ATF prices have remained volatile in recent months amid geopolitical developments and sustained pressure on global energy markets. The latest increase has pushed up airline operating costs, with fuel accounting for a substantial share of overall expenditure.”
thehansindia.com
“The continuous rise in the fuel prices, with the latest month-on-month increase exceeding 14 per cent, has taken ATF costs to levels that are amongst the highest in the last decade.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
Flyers to shell out more as Air India, Air India Express hike fuel surcharge too
Airlines raise fuel surcharges as ATF costs climb
Air India hikes fuel surcharge from Oct 9; domestic flyers to pay up to Rs 1,200 more
Air India, Air India Express Hike Fuel Surcharge On Domestic, International Flights
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