Air India is adding fuel surcharges to tickets starting March 12. Domestic flights get an extra ₹399, while long-haul international routes could cost up to $200 more. Check your ticket price before you book.
Air travel with Air India is expected to become more expensive as the airline has announced a new fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flights. The airline said the additional charges will begin soon and passengers are encouraged to check ticket prices carefully before making bookings.
The decision comes as airlines face increasing operational costs, especially due to a sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. Fuel is one of the biggest expenses for airlines, and recent global developments have pushed these costs higher.
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Air India explained that the main reason for the surcharge is the sudden increase in jet fuel prices. Since early March, aviation fuel costs have risen significantly due to supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Fuel expenses make up a large portion of airline operating costs, often accounting for nearly 40 percent of total expenses. When fuel prices increase sharply, airlines usually have to adjust fares to manage the financial pressure.
The airline stated that introducing the surcharge is necessary to maintain operations and avoid major disruptions to flights. Without such adjustments, airlines may struggle to cover their costs.
Under the new pricing structure, passengers booking domestic flights will need to pay an extra fuel surcharge. The airline confirmed that a charge of ₹399 will be added to each domestic ticket.
This surcharge will also apply to flights within the South Asian region, including destinations such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. These routes previously did not include such charges.
For many passengers, this means the final ticket price could be slightly higher than before, even if the base fare remains unchanged.
Air India has also updated the fuel surcharge for several international routes. The exact amount of the surcharge will vary depending on the destination.
Flights to West Asian countries will now include a surcharge of about $10. Meanwhile, passengers travelling to Southeast Asia may see a fuel surcharge of around $60.
Routes to African destinations will also have increased charges, reaching approximately $90 in some cases.
For long-haul routes such as Europe, North America, and Australia, the airline plans to increase the surcharge further. On some of these routes, passengers may have to pay between $125 and $200 depending on the destination and travel class.
Because long-distance flights require more fuel, these routes are more affected by changes in global oil prices.
Air India announced that the surcharge changes will not be applied all at once. Instead, they will be introduced in multiple phases starting from March 12.
The first phase will affect domestic flights and some nearby international routes. Later phases will gradually expand the changes to long-haul international flights.
This phased approach will allow the airline to adjust prices depending on how fuel costs develop in the coming weeks.
The new surcharge means passengers may see higher ticket prices when booking flights. However, travel experts say the increase may vary depending on the route, travel dates, and demand levels.
Passengers planning to travel in the coming months are advised to check ticket prices carefully before confirming their bookings. Comparing fares across different dates or booking early may help reduce costs.
Travel agencies also recommend monitoring airline updates, as surcharges may change again if fuel prices stabilize.
Air India is not the only airline facing higher operating costs. Airlines around the world are dealing with rising fuel prices, supply chain issues, and airspace disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions.
These factors have made flight operations more expensive and complicated for many carriers.
Industry analysts say airlines sometimes introduce temporary surcharges during periods of high fuel prices. When fuel costs decrease, these additional charges may be reduced or removed.
Air India has stated that the surcharge policy will be reviewed regularly. If fuel prices stabilize or fall, the airline may revise the charges accordingly.
For now, travelers should expect slightly higher ticket prices when flying with the airline, especially on long-distance international routes.
Despite the price increase, Air India says the goal is to maintain reliable flight services while managing the financial impact of rising fuel costs.
As global fuel markets continue to fluctuate, airlines and passengers alike may need to adjust to changing ticket prices in the coming months.
Source: Gulf News
