IndiGo flights to cost more
IndiGo will reintroduce fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights from October 6, making air travel pricier ahead of the festive season. The airline said the surcharge will apply to all new bookings made from 12.01am on October 6. Depending on the route, passengers will pay an additional amount ranging from Rs 425 to Rs10,000.
The airline attributed the decision to a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, driven in part by continuing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
IndiGo said the latest month-on-month increase in fuel prices has exceeded 14%, pushing ATF costs to some of their highest levels in the past decade. Since aviation fuel accounts for a significant portion of airline operating expenses, the increase has put additional pressure on carriers’ costs.
For domestic flights, IndiGo will levy `425 on routes up to 500 km, `600 on sectors between 501 km and 1,000 km, `900 for journeys between 1,001 km and 1,500 km, and `1,150 for routes between 1,501 km and 2,000 km. Flights covering more than 2,000 km will attract a surcharge of `1,300.
For international travel, IndiGo will charge `500 surcharge on SAARC routes up to 500 km and `1,000 on SAARC sectors beyond 500 km. Flights to South East Asia, the Middle East and GCC, and North and East Asia will carry a `5,500 surcharge. The charge will rise to `6,000 for Africa and `10,000 for Europe.
Domestic ATF prices have climbed considerably in recent months. Prices fell from around `115 per litre in June to `110 in July, before returning to `115 in August and rising to `121 per litre in September. From October 1, prices increased further to around `137 per litre for domestic airlines.
Global jet fuel prices have also remained elevated. The global average price rose 1 per cent last week to $187.34 per barrel, compared with levels of around $85-$90 per barrel before the conflict began on February 28.
Indian airlines had previously introduced fuel surcharges in March following a sharp increase in global fuel prices. Air India, IndiGo and Akasa later reduced the additional charges as fuel prices eased around July.
