IndiGo Flights To Cost More From March 14 As Airline Adds Fuel Surcharge Amid Middle East Crisis

India

oi-Ashish Rana

Passengers booking IndiGo flights will have to pay more from March 14, after the airline announced a fresh fuel surcharge on both domestic and international routes in response to soaring fuel costs linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The revised pricing will come into effect from 00:01 hours on March 14, with all new bookings reflecting the additional charge.

Fuel price surge triggers fare adjustment

In a press release, IndiGo said the decision was taken after a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The airline cited the International Air Transport Association’s Jet Fuel Monitor, saying fuel prices in the region have risen by more than 85 per cent.

ATF accounts for a major share of airline operating expenses, and IndiGo said the sudden spike is expected to significantly affect the cost structure and network planning of airlines, including its own operations. According to the carrier, absorbing the entire impact would have required a much steeper fare hike.

“While offsetting the entire impact of this fuel price surge requires a very substantial adjustment to fares, IndiGo has introduced a relatively smaller amount as a Fuel Charge, keeping in mind the consequential burden on customers,” the company said.

New fuel surcharge slabs for domestic and international sectors

Under the revised fare structure, every new booking made on IndiGo flights will include an additional fuel charge per sector depending on the route category.

For domestic travel within India, passengers will pay an extra Rs 425 per sector. The same surcharge of Rs 425 will also apply to flights within the Indian subcontinent.

For routes to the Middle East, the additional fuel charge has been fixed at Rs 900 per sector.

Passengers flying to South East Asia and China will have to pay Rs 1,800 more, while the same Rs 1,800 surcharge will also apply to flights to Africa and West Asia.

For Europe-bound services, the highest surcharge has been set at Rs 2,300 per sector.

Airline says surcharge kept lower than actual fuel impact

IndiGo maintained that the surcharge being introduced is only a partial response to the sharp jump in fuel costs and has been designed to reduce the burden on travellers as much as possible. The airline stressed that the move was unavoidable because of the sudden change in the operating environment caused by the international situation.

The carrier also acknowledged that the extra levy may inconvenience passengers but said it remains a necessary step to manage the financial pressure arising from elevated fuel prices.

“IndiGo regrets the inconvenience resulting from this additional charge and reiterates that the measure has been driven by a sudden and substantial change in the operating environment. IndiGo will continue to monitor the situation and make relevant adjustments as and when appropriate,” the airline said in a statement.

Surcharge to apply on all new bookings from March 14

The newly introduced fuel charge will be applicable only on fresh bookings made from the effective date onward. This means customers booking tickets from 00:01 hours on March 14 will see the revised fare structure across IndiGo’s domestic and international network.

With fuel prices under pressure due to the conflict in the Middle East, the airline has indicated that the surcharge may be revised further depending on how the situation develops in the coming days.