IndiGo hikes fuel charges for passengers
New Delhi, April 1
Low-cost carrier IndiGo announced on Wednesday that it will raise fuel charges on both domestic and international flights for all new bookings made from 12.01 a.m. on April 2, due to the sharp increase in aviation fuel prices.
The airline said the move follows a steep increase in jet fuel costs in the wake of supply chain disruptions due to the Middle East conflict.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Jet Fuel Monitor, prices have risen by more than 130 per cent month-on-month. However, in support of air travellers and the aviation industry, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have decided to pass on only a partial and staggered increase of 25 per cent to the airlines for domestic operations.
With this, IndiGo has also recalibrated its domestic fuel charge to vary by different travel distances. All domestic bookings made from April 2 onwards will include the following revised fuel charges per sector.
0-500 km: Rs 275
501-1,000 km: Rs 400
1,001-1,500 km: Rs 600
1,501-2,000 km: Rs 800
Above 2,000 km: Rs 950
IndiGo said it "is thankful to the Government for timely intervention, without which April 2026 fuel cost increases would have severely impacted affordability of domestic air travel".
The airline further stated that for international operations, ATF prices have more than doubled in the last month, consequently driving a significant impact on the airline's operating costs on these routes. All international bookings made from 12.01 a.m. on April 2 will include the following revised fuel charges, per sector:
Indian Subcontinent up to 500 km: Rs 900
Above 500 km: Rs 2,500
GCC & Middle East upto 2,000 km: Rs 3,000
Above 2,000 km: Rs 5,000
Southeast Asia & China upto 2,000 km: Rs 3,500
Above 2,000 km: Rs 5,000
Africa Rs 5,000
Greece and Turkey: Rs 7,500
UK & Europe: Rs 10,000
According to the IndiGo statement, although fully offsetting the fuel price increase would require substantial fare revisions, the airline has passed on a relatively smaller amount to customers, keeping in mind the consequential burden on them.
IndiGo said the increase has been driven "by a sudden and substantial change in the operating environment and the airline will continue to monitor the situation and make relevant adjustments as and when appropriate".
— IANS
Reader Comments
While the hike is disappointing, I appreciate that IndiGo and the ministries are trying to stagger the increase. A 130% rise in fuel cost is insane! The partial pass-on is better than the full amount. Still, travel plans will need rethinking.
Rs 10,000 extra for Europe flights! That's almost the price of a return train ticket from Delhi to Mumbai. The "low-cost" tag is becoming a joke. Time to explore Indian Railways more seriously for domestic travel. 🚂
As someone who travels frequently for work between metros, the Rs 600 charge for 1000-1500 km is significant. Companies will absorb it, but for startups and self-funded travellers, this adds up quickly. The transparency on distance slabs is good, though.
This is why we need to fast-track sustainable aviation fuels and electric aircraft research in India. We can't keep getting buffeted by every geopolitical storm. Jai Hind, but our aviation policy needs a long-term vision, not just crisis management.
My respectful criticism: The article says the government passed on only a 25% increase to airlines for domestic ops. That's a relief, but why is the international hike so steep? Are we subsidizing domestic travel by overcharging for international? The logic isn't clear.
R