IndiGo, the low-cost carrier, has announced a hike in fuel charges for both domestic and international flights starting from April 2. This decision comes in response to the significant rise in aviation fuel prices, attributed to disruptions in the supply chain due to the Middle East conflict. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Jet Fuel Monitor reported a more than 130% increase in prices month-on-month.
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have agreed to pass on a 25% partial and staggered increase in fuel charges to airlines for domestic operations. IndiGo has adjusted its domestic fuel charges based on different travel distances, with revised rates ranging from Rs 275 to Rs 950 per sector for flights of varying lengths.
For international operations, IndiGo has also revised its fuel charges due to a doubling of ATF prices in the last month, impacting the airline’s operating costs on these routes. The new charges per sector for international flights will range from Rs 900 to Rs 10,000, depending on the destination.
IndiGo expressed gratitude for the government’s intervention, stating that without it, the increased fuel costs would have significantly affected the affordability of domestic air travel. The airline emphasized that while fully offsetting the fuel price hike would require substantial fare adjustments, they have chosen to pass on a smaller increase to customers, considering the potential burden on them.
