New Delhi, October 8 (Daily Kiran) : Air India and Air India Express announced an increase in fuel surcharges for both domestic and international flights on October 8, 2026. This decision follows a similar move by IndiGo and is attributed to rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The Tata Group airline explained that recent geopolitical events and ongoing pressure on the global energy market have caused fluctuations in ATF prices. The latest surge has significantly raised the airline’s operating costs, with fuel accounting for a substantial portion of these expenses.
According to Air India, the new surcharge for Air India Express will take effect for new bookings made after midnight IST on October 9. For Air India, the changes will apply to bookings made after 11:00 AM IST on the same day. The surcharge will vary based on the sector and route category.
The revised one-way domestic fuel surcharges will range from ₹400 to ₹1,200, depending on flight distance. For flights up to 500 kilometers, the surcharge will be ₹400. For distances between 501 and 1,000 kilometers, the charge will be ₹600. Flights covering 1,001 to 1,500 kilometers will incur a surcharge of ₹850, while those over 1,501 kilometers will face a charge of ₹1,200.
Additionally, Air India and Air India Express have adjusted fuel surcharges for select international routes. For North America, the surcharge is set at $215, while flights to Australia will incur a charge of $210. Passengers traveling to Europe, including the UK, will pay $135, and those heading to West Asia and the Middle East will face a surcharge of $55.
Previously, IndiGo announced a similar increase in fuel charges on October 6, citing a more than 14% rise in fuel prices compared to the previous month, marking the highest ATF costs in a decade.
Under IndiGo’s revised charges, passengers traveling up to 500 kilometers on domestic routes will now pay ₹375. For distances between 501 and 1,000 kilometers, the charge is ₹600, and for flights covering 1,001 to 1,500 kilometers, the fee will be ₹900. For journeys between 1,501 and 2,000 kilometers, passengers will be charged ₹1,150, while flights over 2,000 kilometers will incur a fuel charge of ₹1,300.
IndiGo has also adjusted international flight fuel charges based on distance and route. For flights within the SAARC region, the charge for routes up to 500 kilometers will be ₹1,000, while those over 501 kilometers will incur a charge of ₹3,000. Flights to Southeast Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Northeast Asia will face a charge of ₹5,500, while flights to Africa will cost ₹6,000, and those to Europe will require a payment of ₹10,000.
IndiGo emphasized that the revised charges are lower than the actual increase in fuel costs to mitigate the impact on passengers.
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