October 6, 2023
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has introduced a fuel surcharge on all domestic and international flights, effective October 6, 2023. The surcharge will range from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000, depending on the distance of the flight.
The airline said that the decision to introduce the surcharge was taken due to the rising cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). ATF prices have surged in recent months due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and other factors.
The fuel surcharge will be added to the base fare and taxes. For example, a passenger flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru on IndiGo will now have to pay Rs 500 more, and a passenger flying from Delhi to London will have to pay Rs 650 more.
Other airlines are likely to follow IndiGo's lead and introduce fuel surcharges of their own. This means that airfares in India are likely to go up in the coming weeks and months.
Impact on passengers
The introduction of the fuel surcharge will have a negative impact on passengers, especially those who travel frequently. For example, a passenger who flies from Delhi to Mumbai and back once a month will now have to pay Rs 1,000 more per month.
The fuel surcharge will also make air travel less affordable for budget travellers. This could lead to a decrease in air travel demand in India.
What can passengers do?
Passengers can try to reduce the impact of the fuel surcharge by booking flights in advance and being flexible with their travel dates. Passengers can also look for discounts and offers from airlines.
Passengers can also consider flying with budget airlines, which typically have lower fares than full-service airlines.
