Air travel to be costlier as airlines increase fares

NEW DELHI: Domestic air travel will be costlier as major airlines, including state-owned Indian, have increased fares following continuous rise in prices of jet fuel in the past few months.

Indian on Friday announced a hike ranging between Rs 45 to Rs 400 in its domestic fares for all discounted, unchecked and apex class tickets. The new prices will come into effect from September 10.

Officials of the public sector firm said the maximum hike of Rs 400 was only on two sectors -- Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi to Kochi. In other sectors, the fare hike was at an average of Rs 200.

The prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) or jet fuel, which constitutes 30-35 per cent of the operating cost of airlines, has been increasing between two-three per cent for the past several months, forcing the aviation industry to increase the fares.

According to sources, Jet Airways also increased the fares effective from yesterday. However, its spokesperson was neither willing to confirm nor deny such reports.

A Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said though no decision had been taken so far about increasing the fares, it could consider increase it if other airlines did so.

Low-cost carrier Spicejet claimed it had not increased the fares, but sources in the company said the number of seats available on the lower side of fare were reduced.