New Delhi, Oct. 8 -- Air India and Air India Express on Thursday announced hiking fuel surcharges for domestic and international flights, while Akasa Air raised the surcharge for overseas flights due to soaring jet fuel costs.
The hike in fuel surcharges from October 9 will push airfares higher as airlines look at ways to partially offset the rising operational costs.
Air India and Air India Express, which previously revised fuel surcharges in April, have increased them by Rs 101 to Rs 301 for domestic flights. For international services, the hike ranges from $5 to $15.
Akasa Air has re-introduced the fuel surcharge for domestic services and increased it for international flights. The airline, which introduced the surcharges in March, later withdrew them for domestic flights.
In a statement on Thursday, Air India said Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices have witnessed significant volatility in recent months, driven largely by geopolitical developments and sustained pressure on global energy markets.
"The latest increase in fuel prices has further elevated operating costs for airlines, with fuel continuing to account for a substantial proportion of overall airline expenditure," the statement said.
For domestic flights, Air India and Air India Express have revised fuel surcharges ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,200, depending on the distance.
Fuel surcharges for international flights vary from $55 to $215, depending on the region and country.
According to the statement, the two airlines will levy Rs 400 and Rs 600 as fuel surcharges for distances of 0-500 kilometre and 501-1,000 km, respectively. The amount will be Rs 850 for 1,001-1,500 km and Rs 1,200 for 1,501 km and above.
With respect to international routes, the fuel surcharge will be $55 for West Asia/ Middle East and $135 for Europe, including the UK. The fuel surcharge will be $210 for Australia and $215 for North America.
Akasa Airsaid in a statement that sustained increases in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, driven by ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East, have led to higher fuel surcharges.
Depending on distance, the surcharges will vary from Rs 375 to Rs 1,150 for domestic flights and in the case of overseas services, the revised surcharge is Rs 2,500.
For 0-500 km, Akasa Air will levy a fuel surcharge of Rs 375 and Rs 600 for the distance of 501 - 1,000 km. The fuel surcharge will be Rs 900 and Rs 1,150 for the distance of 1,001-1,500 km and 1,501 km and above, respectively.
For international routes, Akasa Air has revised the fuel surcharge to Rs 2,500.
In March, Akasa Air introduced fuel surcharges ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 for domestic and international flights.
"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."In view of the prevailing fuel price environment, Akasa Air has taken a measured approach to partially offset the impact," Akasa Air said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.