Domestic air travel to become costlier; Jet, Kingfisher raise fuel surcharge

Flying within India will become costlier from the New Year with two major airlines -- Kingfisher and Jet Airways -- hiking fuel surcharge by up to Rs200 per ticket with immediate effect.

As global crude prices touched $90 a barrel, state-owned oil firms hiked jet fuel prices from midnight tonight by almost 2%, the sixth straight increase in rates since October.

The two airlines today increased their fuel surcharge by Rs100 for travel up to 750km and Rs200 for flights covering a distance of over 750km.

A Kingfisher spokesperson told PTI that the increase in fuel surcharge was necessiated due to the recent hikes in the jet fuel prices.

In order to reflect the recent multiple increases in aviation turbine fuel, the spokesperson said Kingfisher has raised the fuel surcharge on domestic flights from today.

Though Jet Airways officials did not confirm the hike, the necessary changes were made on their website.

There was no comment from national carrier Air India on the issue.

The rise in airfares through a hike in fuel surcharge came in the backdrop of over 25% increase in October-November which saw the civil aviation ministry stepping in and aviation regulator DGCA asking airlines to lower the ticket prices and ensure transparency.

ATF rates in Delhi have been hiked by Rs935 per kilolitre, or 1.99%, to Rs47,816 per kl from midnight tonight. The latest hike comes on the back of a massive 3.6% hike on December 15.

Global crude prices, after rallying to a 26-month-high of $91.88 on Monday, US crude edged lower in Asia today at $89.70 a barrel while Brent crude stood at $92.99.