New Delhi: After IndiGo, Air India has also announced an increase in fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flights, making air travel costlier. The decision comes in response to a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, which have nearly doubled over the past month, according to industry estimates.
For domestic routes, the revised fuel surcharge will come into effect from April 8 and will be based on distance. Passengers will have to pay ₹299 for flights up to 500 km, ₹399 for 501–1,000 km, ₹549 for 1,001–1,500 km, ₹749 for 1,501–2,000 km, and ₹899 for distances above 2,000 km per sector. These revised rates will also apply to Air India Express services.
On international routes, where there is no regulatory cap on fuel surcharge, the increase is more significant. Passengers travelling to West Asia will pay an additional $50, while those flying to Southeast Asia will be charged $100. The surcharge for Singapore routes has been set at $60 and for Africa routes at $130. Long-haul destinations such as Europe and the United Kingdom will attract a surcharge of $205, while flights to North America and Australia will see a surcharge of $280 from April 10.
Air India clarified that tickets issued before the effective dates will not be impacted by the revised charges. With both IndiGo and Air India increasing fuel surcharges, airfares are expected to remain elevated in the coming weeks, especially during the peak summer travel season.
