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ATF Price Hike Impact From April 1, Airlines Add Fuel Surcharges

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated the impact of rising Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will be visible from April 1, while assuring that passenger operations should not be affected. Airlines like Air India and Akasa Air have already begun implementing phased fuel surcharges on flights due to increased costs driven by Gulf geopolitical tensions. The government is engaging multiple ministries to manage the situation, prioritizing safe operations, especially in the Middle East region. Meanwhile, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri assured Parliament of India's sufficient fuel supplies and refinery capacity despite global energy disruptions from the West Asia conflict.

Key Points: ATF Price Impact From April 1, Fuel Surcharges Announced

  • ATF price impact from April 1
  • Airlines implement fuel surcharges
  • Safe ops priority amid tensions
  • Multi-departmental govt engagement
  • India assures sufficient fuel supply
2 min read

"Impact might be visible from April 1": Civil Aviation Minister on ATF prices

Civil Aviation Minister says ATF price impact visible April 1. Airlines hike fuel surcharges amid West Asia conflict affecting global energy supply.

"The impact should not translate into operations or the passengers. - Ram Mohan Naidu"

Visakhapatnam, March 22

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday said the impact of the rise in ATF prices would be visible from April 1.

Speaking to the media in Visakhapatnam, the minister said, "The ATF prices are decided on the first of every month. The impact might be visible from April 1st."

Amid regional tensions, the ministry assured that safe operations are a priority and that it is actively engaging with airlines to take feedback, as it is a "multi-departmental exercise".

"We want to have safe operations, especially in the Middle East and all other people also," Naidu stated, emphasing that the Ministry of Civil Aviation, External Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas would engage in discussion to determine the best outcome.

Naidu added, "The impact should not translate into operations or the passengers. That will be the intention of the Ministry, and we will engage positively".

Meanwhile, driven by rising jet fuel prices from Gulf geopolitical tensions, Air India is implementing a phased, tiered fuel surcharge hike on domestic and international routes, while Akasa Air announced a new fuel surcharge on its domestic and international flights for bookings made from 00:01 hrs on March 15, citing significant aviation turbine fuel (ATF) costs.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has triggered a global energy supply disruption, affecting crude oil and gas flows through key routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier on March 12, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, informed the Lok Sabha on March 12 that the country is successfully navigating the major disruption in global energy supplies following the West Asia conflict.

"India has sufficient gas production and supply arrangements to sustain this position even in the event of a prolonged conflict. Power generation for every household and for industry is fully protected," Hardeep Singh Puri said.

He assured the House that "There is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, ATF or fuel oil. The availability of petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, kerosene, and fuel oil is fully assured," with refineries operating at high capacity utilisation, sometimes "exceeding 100 per cent".

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Appreciate the transparency from the minister about the timeline. "Impact visible from April 1" gives people time to plan. The multi-departmental coordination is crucial, but I hope the 'positive engagement' actually results in shielding passengers as much as possible.
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Priya S
Airlines are already adding surcharges! Akasa from March 15, Air India phasing it in. The minister says impact from April 1, but the effect is already here for new bookings. Feels like mixed signals. Safety is paramount, but cost clarity is needed too.
A
Aman W
Good to hear Minister Puri's assurance on supplies. "Refineries exceeding 100%" is impressive. The geopolitical situation is tough, but if we have the stock and production, the price hike should be moderated. Hope the ministries work together on this.
K
Karthik V
This is a global issue affecting everyone. The focus on safe operations, especially in the Middle East region, is the right priority. Cost is one thing, but safety cannot be compromised. Jai Hind.
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Nisha Z
With all respect to the ministers, saying the impact "should not translate to passengers" feels a bit hopeful when airlines are independently adding surcharges. The intention is good, but the reality for the common traveler is already more expensive tickets. A more direct communication on expected price ranges would help.

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