Flight tickets set to get costlier: Air India, Akasa Air add fuel surcharge
Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air have added fuel surcharges from October 9, following IndiGo. Check the new domestic and international charges before you book
PTC Web Desk: Flying during the festive season is about to get costlier. Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air have followed IndiGo in adding or raising fuel surcharges, as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices keep climbing and tensions in the Middle East show no sign of easing.
With festive demand set to rise, the extra charge could push up ticket bills, especially on longer domestic and international routes.
Air India and Air India Express announced new fuel surcharges on Thursday for domestic flights and some international routes. Akasa Air has brought in a surcharge on domestic flights and revised its existing charges on overseas routes.
The new charges apply to tickets booked from October 9. For Air India Express, they take effect from 12 am IST. For Air India, they begin at 11 am IST that day.
Air India and Air India Express: Domestic charges
The surcharge depends on how far you are flying: Up to 500 km: Rs 400
1,001 to 1,500 km: Rs 850
1,501 to 2,000 km: Rs 1,200
Above 1,500 km: up to Rs 1,200
Air India and Air India Express: International charges
These are one-way charges:
North America: USD 215
Australia: USD 210
Europe, including the UK: USD 135
West Asia and Middle East: USD 55
Akasa Air: New Surcharges
On domestic flights, Akasa Air will charge:
Up to 500 km: Rs 375
501 to 1,000 km: Rs 600
1,001 to 1,500 km: Rs 900
1,501 km and above: Rs 1,150
On international routes, a flat Rs 2,500 surcharge applies on flights between India and Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Thailand and Vietnam.
Why are airlines doing this?
The airlines point to the steady rise and sharp swings in ATF prices, mainly driven by global events and pressure on energy markets. Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for any airline, so higher prices hit their costs quickly.
Air India and Air India Express say the surcharge will only partly cover the added fuel cost, so they can keep running flights across their networks. Akasa Air says it has taken a measured approach to offset part of the impact.
The airlines say they will review the surcharge from time to time, depending on fuel prices and the wider operating situation.
For now, travellers planning trips this festive season may want to book early and check the final fare, including the surcharge, before paying.
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