Pioneer in short

Airfares to Rise Amid Fuel Surge

Airfares in India are set to rise as airlines impose fuel surcharges amid soaring jet fuel prices triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict. Following Air India and Air India Express, IndiGo announced that it will levy fuel charges on domestic and international flights starting March 14. Charges will range from INR 425 for domestic and SAARC flights to INR 2,300 for Europe-bound tickets. Flights to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, China, and Africa will see surcharges of INR 900–INR 1,800. Aviation Turbine Fuel, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of an airline’s operating costs, has surged sharply since early March due to regional supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions. IndiGo said the surcharge is a smaller adjustment aimed at easing customer impact, though some fare increase is unavoidable. Earlier, Air India and Air India Express had introduced similar charges, with domestic surcharges starting at INR 399 and international fees ranging from $10 to $90. Budget carrier SpiceJet warned that airlines may have little choice if oil prices remain high. Beyond fuel costs, flight disruptions have escalated. Cirium reported over 43,000 cancellations between February 28 and March 10, as carriers avoid West Asian airspace, increasing travel times and ticket prices.

Curfew partially lifted in Meghalaya

Curfew was partially relaxed on Friday in the two unrest-hit districts of Meghalaya to allow residents to purchase essential goods, officials said. In West Garo Hills, restrictions were eased from 9 am to 1 pm, while in East Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner RP Marak extended the relaxation from 8 am to 5 pm. Earlier this week, clashes erupted between tribal and non-tribal groups during the nomination process for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, leaving two people dead in police firing and causing widespread damage to property. Reports of arson, vandalism, and looting in parts of Tura town prompted the imposition of curfew and deployment of the Army to prevent further violence. Following the unrest, the State has postponed the GHADC elections scheduled for April 10.

TN Police seize nearly 400 cylinders

In a first-of-its-kind action in Tamil Nadu, police in Madurai arrested two men under the Goondas Act for hoarding 398 LPG cylinders for black marketing, officials said on Friday. The raids, conducted by the Civil Supplies CID following a tip-off, recovered 100 subsidised domestic cylinders and 109 commercial cylinders from one location, and 189 cylinders-including 126 commercial units-from another. Chief Minister MK Stalin urged the public not to panic, highlighting that the State has sufficient fuel and gas supplies. The Tamil Nadu Petroleum Dealers’ Association also reassured citizens that 14 terminals across the State can meet demand for over 7,000 retail outlets, and warned against panic buying. Authorities have booked the accused under the Essential Commodities Act, emphasising strict action against illegal hoarding.