Air India and Akasa hike fuel surcharges; air travel to become costlier

NEW DELHI: Following IndiGo, the cost of domestic and international flights operated by Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air will rise due to the hike in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices. For domestic flights, surcharges will increase by amounts ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 1,200, depending on the distance. Air India and Air India Express will see a surcharge increase of approximately Rs 13,077 ($135) for flights to Europe (including the UK) and Rs 5,327 ($55) for flights to the Gulf.

For Air India and Air India Express domestic services, the surcharge increases are Rs 400 for distances up to 500 km, Rs 600 for 501–1,000 km, and Rs 850 for 1,001–1,500 km; for distances between 1,501 and 2,000 km, the increase will be Rs 1,200. Akasa Air will implement increases of Rs 375 (up to 500 km), Rs 600 (501–1,000 km), Rs 900 (1,001–1,500 km), and Rs 1,150 (above 1,501 km). The new rates come into effect today.

Air India - Air India Express

• North America: $215 (approximately Rs 20,826)

• Australia: $210 (Rs 20,340)

Akasa Air

• Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Thailand, Vietnam: Rs 2,500