After IndiGo, Air India and Akasa hike fuel surcharges as ATF prices stay high

Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air have announced higher fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights as elevated aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices continue to put pressure on airline operating costs.

Air India and Air India Express said on Thursday that the revised surcharges will apply to new bookings from October 9. Akasa Air will also reintroduce fuel surcharges on domestic flights from October 9 and raise the levy on international services.

The moves come after IndiGo raised its fuel charges earlier this week, making the latest round of increases across major Indian airlines a direct response to the sharp rise in jet fuel costs.

Air India, Air India Express revise charges

Air India and Air India Express will apply the revised surcharge to new bookings from 0000 hours on October 9 for Air India Express and 1100 hours for Air India.

For domestic flights, the surcharge will range from ₹400 to ₹1,200 per passenger per one-way sector, depending on distance. Flights of up to 500 km will attract ₹400, while journeys between 501 and 1,000 km will carry a ₹600 surcharge. The charge will rise to ₹850 for 1,001-1,500 km and ₹1,200 for flights beyond 1,500 km.

On international routes, the revised surcharge will be $215 for North America, $210 for Australia, $135 for Europe including the UK and $55 for West Asia and the Middle East.

“Air India and Air India Express have undertaken a calibrated revision of fuel surcharges, with the adjustments intended to partially offset the increased cost burden,” the airlines said.

Akasa brings back domestic fuel levy

Akasa Air said it will reintroduce fuel surcharges on domestic flights, which had been withdrawn after being introduced in March.

The new domestic surcharge will range from ₹375 to ₹1,150, depending on the distance travelled. For international services, the revised surcharge will be ₹2,500.

Akasa attributed the move to the sustained increase in ATF prices, driven by continuing geopolitical developments in West Asia.

“ATF constitutes a significant component of airline operating costs, and the continued increase in fuel prices has placed sustained pressure on airline operating costs across the industry,” the airline said, adding that it had taken a “measured approach to partially offset the impact”.

IndiGo had raised charges earlier

IndiGo had announced its own fuel surcharge revision from October 6, citing continuously rising ATF costs. Its domestic surcharge now ranges from ₹375 to ₹1,300 per sector, depending on distance.

For international flights, IndiGo charges ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 on SAARC routes, ₹5,500 on Southeast Asia, GCC, Middle East and North and East Asia routes, ₹6,000 for Africa and ₹10,000 for Europe.

The airline had said the increase was a measured adjustment and would not fully offset the rise in fuel costs.