Kathmadnu, April 2 -- owned oil monopoly on Wednesday sharply increased aviation fuel prices to a historic high, citing soaring global energy costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The Nepal Oil Corporation said the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for international airlines surged by 77.63 percent to $1,716 per kilolitre in Kathmandu, with similar increases reported in other major cities-Pokhara and Bhairahawa. The previous highest rate was recorded on June 19, 2022, when ATF was raised to $1,645 per kilolitre.

For domestic carriers, ATF prices have nearly doubled, jumping 97.63 percent to Rs251 per litre, marking an unprecedented spike. The earlier high Rs190 per litre on September 1, 2022.

"This is the biggest hik...