After Air India, IndiGo raises fares:₹425 surcharge on domestic flights, up to ₹2,300 on international tickets due to costly jet fuel

IndiGo has announced that it will impose a fuel surcharge on all domestic and international flight tickets starting March 14, citing a sharp rise in jet fuel prices amid tensions in the Middle East. The airline said the surcharge will range between ₹425 and ₹2,300 depending on the distance of travel. The revised ticket prices, including the additional fuel charge, will come into effect from 12 am on March 14. Jet fuel prices rise sharply due to conflict According to the airline, jet fuel prices have increased by nearly 85% due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, United States and Israel. The airline said the surcharge is necessary to offset the rising operational costs caused by the surge in fuel prices. IndiGo added that it has set the surcharge based on different travel distances to minimise the burden on passengers. The company also stated that it will continue to monitor the situation and may revise the surcharge if fuel prices change. Air India also increases fares Earlier, Air India had also announced a fuel surcharge on domestic flights. From March 12, the airline began charging an additional ₹399 on domestic flight tickets. For international routes, Air India increased ticket prices by around 15%. The airline cited rising aviation fuel costs as the reason behind the fare revision. Oil supply disruption and rising crude prices The rise in jet fuel prices has been linked to disruptions in the global oil supply chain after tensions escalated in the Middle East and shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz were affected. As a result, global crude oil prices have been rising steadily. The price of Brent crude oil has climbed to around $101 per barrel, after recently touching nearly $120 per barrel. Jet fuel prices have almost doubled in several markets since the conflict began. Before the crisis, aviation fuel was priced at around $85 to $90 per barrel, but it has now increased to between $150 and $200 per barrel. The ongoing tensions have also disrupted global aviation operations. According to industry estimates, more than 40,000 flights have been cancelled worldwide due to security concerns and route disruptions. Fuel accounts for major airline expenses Industry experts note that aviation turbine fuel is the single largest expense for airlines. It accounts for nearly 30% to 40% of an airline’s total operating costs. Because of the sudden surge in oil prices, several airlines have revised their financial outlooks and increased ticket prices to offset higher operating expenses. Airlines worldwide increase ticket prices Several international airlines have also increased fares or fuel surcharges in response to rising fuel costs. Air New Zealand announced an increase in ticket prices earlier this week. The airline raised one-way domestic fares by 10 New Zealand dollars, while short-haul international fares were increased by 20 dollars and long-haul fares by 90 dollars. The airline also withdrew its 2026 earnings forecast due to market volatility. Hong Kong Airlines has increased its fuel surcharge by up to 35.2%. For routes to countries such as the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal, the surcharge was raised from 284 Hong Kong dollars to 384 Hong Kong dollars. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific has introduced additional flights to destinations like London and Zurich in March to accommodate passengers affected by disruptions. Australia’s national carrier Qantas has also increased fares on several international routes, while Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) announced temporary price adjustments due to rising operational costs.