Air India, IndiGo and Akasa hike fuel surcharges: Flight tickets to cost more from October 9
Air India and Air India Express have announced higher fuel surcharges on domestic and selected international flights, while Akasa Air is reintroducing domestic surcharges and increasing charges on overseas routes.
The decisions follow IndiGo's recent increase in fuel surcharges, as airlines face sustained pressure from rising aviation fuel prices. ATF accounts for around 40% of airline operating costs, according to the information provided by the airlines.
The revised charges will apply to new bookings from October 9, although the implementation time differs by airline.
Air India and Air India Express: Revised charges
Air India and Air India Express will levy domestic fuel surcharges ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,200 per passenger, depending on the flight distance.
| Domestic flight distance | Fuel surcharge |
|---|---|
| Up to 500 km | Rs 400 |
| 501–1,000 km | Rs 600 |
| 1,001–1,500 km | Rs 850 |
| Above 1,500 km | Rs 1,20 |
For selected international routes, the revised surcharges are $55 for West Asia and the Middle East, $135 for Europe, including the UK, $210 for Australia and $215 for North America.
Air India Express will apply the new charges to bookings made from midnight on October 9. Air India will implement the revised surcharges for bookings made from 11 am IST on the same day.
The airlines said volatile ATF prices, geopolitical developments and pressure on global energy markets had increased operating expenses.
Akasa Air reintroduces domestic fuel surcharge
Akasa Air will also revise its fuel surcharge structure from October 9. The airline has reintroduced the surcharge on domestic services after previously withdrawing it.
The revised domestic charge will range from Rs 375 to Rs 1,150 per passenger, depending on the sector's distance. A surcharge of Rs 2,500 will apply to specified international services.
Akasa Air said the increase in aviation fuel prices had placed sustained pressure on operating costs. The airline described the revision as a measure to partially offset the impact of higher fuel expenses.
IndiGo had raised surcharges earlier
IndiGo, India's largest airline by market share, had already increased its fuel surcharges for new bookings from October 6. The latest changes by Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air extend the pricing pressure across several major Indian carriers.
The revised charges mean that passengers booking flights from the applicable dates may have to pay more, with the additional amount depending on the airline, route and distance.
The latest surcharge revisions reflect the impact of aviation fuel prices on airline finances. ATF is a major operating expense, so sustained increases can prompt airlines to adjust fares or introduce additional charges.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have added uncertainty to global energy markets, according to the airlines' statements. However, the final ticket price will also depend on base fares, demand, taxes and other applicable fees.
For passengers, the practical step is to compare the complete fare at checkout rather than the base fare alone. Travellers should also check the applicable surcharge and booking cut-off time, as the changes do not necessarily apply to every existing reservation.