India, March 10 -- Air India on Tuesday announced a phased increase in fuel surcharges across its domestic and international network, citing a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices triggered by the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States in the Middle East.

The airline said the surcharge hike would be implemented in three stages and described the move as unavoidable due to factors beyond its control. Air India warned that without revising fuel surcharges, some flights could become commercially unviable.

"Absent such fuel surcharges, it is likely that some flights would be unable to cover operating costs and would have to be cancelled," the airline said in a statement.

Under the revised structure, fuel surcharges for flights to...