Indian Airfares Soar: Major Airlines Hike Fuel Surcharges Amidst Global Pressures
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Flight tickets across India are about to get pricier, with major carriers Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air hiking their fuel surcharge starting today, October 9, 2026. This move, following a similar increase by IndiGo earlier this week, is a direct result of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices soaring to near-decade highs, driven by ongoing global pressures. Travelers planning festive season journeys will feel the pinch, as airlines struggle to balance rising operational costs with passenger affordability. The underlying कारण for this surge in airfare is a perfect storm of economic and geopolitical factors. Aviation Turbine Fuel prices in India jumped by a steep INR 16 per liter on October 1, pushing the cost to INR 137 per liter – marking the third consecutive monthly increase and the steepest so far this year. This spike is primarily fueled by escalating crude oil prices globally, with Brent crude hovering around $105 per barrel, exacerbated by the ongoing Middle East conflict and a weakened Indian Rupee against the US Dollar. Fuel now accounts for a significant chunk of airlines' operating costs, often up to 40%, leaving them little choice but to pass some of this burden onto passengers. This comes as the Indian aviation sector is already reeling, with industry losses projected to hit ₹17,000–18,000 crore in the current financial year. Looking ahead, travelers should prepare for continued higher fares, especially as the festive season progresses, potentially leading some price-sensitive passengers to explore alternative modes of transport. For the airlines, the financial strain is far from over, prompting the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) to call for urgent government intervention, including the release of pending funds under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0. The industry remains volatile, with further adjustments to surcharges expected if fuel prices continue their upward trajectory or geopolitical tensions persist.