Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Indian Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges as ATF Costs Climb
Several airlines in India have added or changed extra charges on plane tickets.
These charges help airlines pay for jet fuel, which has become more expensive.
Air India and Air India Express will charge different amounts depending on how far a passenger flies.
They also set charges for some international routes.
Their new charges apply to eligible bookings from October 9, 2026, while IndiGo’s changes began on October 6.
Akasa Air also changed its charges from October 9.
The airlines say the extra fees cover only part of their higher fuel costs.
An aviation analyst says the fees can make travel more expensive and asks whether the government should offer other kinds of help.
Air India and Air India Express revised one-way domestic surcharges to ₹400–₹1,200 by distance, effective for eligible bookings from October 9, 2026.
Their selected international surcharges are $55 for West Asia and the Middle East, $135 for Europe including the UK, $210 for Australia, and $215 for North America.
Akasa Air’s revised charges also start October 9; IndiGo’s fuel surcharge changes began October 6.
Airlines cited volatile, rising aviation turbine fuel prices amid geopolitical conflict and pressure on global energy markets.
An aviation analyst argued that surcharges raise passenger costs and called for policy options; the article also said the government had capped domestic fuel-charge increases and introduced a fuel stabilisation fund.
- Who
- Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and Akasa Air; the changes affect passengers booking eligible flights.
- What
- The airlines introduced or revised fuel surcharges on domestic and selected international routes.
- When
- IndiGo's changes began October 6, 2026; Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air changes began October 9, 2026, with different booking start times.
- Where
- Domestic routes in India and selected international routes.
- Why
- The airlines cited rising and volatile aviation turbine fuel prices and higher operating costs amid geopolitical developments and pressure on global energy markets.
Airline rationale
Passenger and policy concerns
Purpose of fuel surcharges
Airline rationale
Air India and Air India Express said the charges would partially offset higher fuel costs while allowing them to continue services across their networks.
Passenger and policy concerns
Reports say the added charges raise the cost of affected tickets; an aviation analyst noted that per-passenger, per-sector fees can make return and family travel more expensive.
Possible policy response
Airline rationale
The analyst's article says airlines face elevated fuel costs and other operating pressures, and reports that the government has capped domestic fuel-charge increases and introduced a fuel stabilisation fund.
Passenger and policy concerns
The analyst raised possible further steps, including temporary flexibility on route requirements or more support through UDAN, while noting that aviation may not be an immediate spending priority. These were posed as options, not announced measures.
- Air India and Air India Express domestic surcharge
- One-way: ₹400 up to 500 km; ₹600 for 501–1,000 km; ₹850 for 1,001–1,500 km; ₹1,200 for 1,501 km and above.
- Air India and Air India Express international surcharge
- One-way: $55 for West Asia and the Middle East; $135 for Europe including the UK; $210 for Australia; $215 for North America.
- Air India Express effective time
- New bookings from 00:00 IST on October 9, 2026.
- Air India effective time
- Bookings from 11:00 IST on October 9, 2026.
- Akasa Air charges
- Domestic surcharges range from ₹375 to ₹1,150 by distance; a ₹2,500 charge applies to specified international routes between India and Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Thailand and Vietnam.
- IndiGo changes
- Revised charges took effect for new bookings from 00:01 on October 6, 2026; reported charges vary by route and distance, with international charges reaching ₹10,000.
- Fuel-cost estimates in reports
- One report citing the Federation of Indian Airlines put fuel at around 55%–60% of operating costs under current conditions, compared with 30%–40% historically; another report said fuel can account for up to 40%.
Sources
Fuel surcharges go up across carriers, is there a policy way out?
Air India, Air India Express increase fuel surcharge on domestic, international flights amid rising ATF costs
Flyers to shell out more as Air India, Air India Express hike fuel surcharge too
Airlines raise fuel surcharges as ATF costs climb
Flyers to shell out more as Air India, Air India Express hike fuel surcharge too
Air India hikes fuel surcharge from Oct 9; domestic flyers to pay up to Rs 1,200 more
