Jet Airways, Kingfisher raise fuel surcharge on domestic air tickets

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Flying within India will become costlier from the New Year with two major airlines, Kingfisher and Jet Airways, hiking fuel surcharge by up to Rs 200 per ticket with immediate effect.

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

The two airlines today increased their fuel surcharge by Rs 100 for travel up to 750 kms and Rs 200 for flights covering a distance of over 750 kms. A Kingfisher spokesperson told media 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 per cent 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 Rs 935 per kilolitre, or 1.99 per cent, to Rs 47,816 per kl from midnight tonight. The latest hike comes on the back of a massive 3.6 per cent hike on December 15.

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