NEW DELHI: With oil on fire amid the raging US-Israel versus Iran war, IndiGo has followed Air India group and decided to levy an additional fuel charge between Rs 425 and Rs 2,300 from March 14 on all its domestic and international flights, citing “the significant surge in fuel prices following the ongoing geopolitical issues”. The additional charge will apply to all new bookings made from 00.01 hrs on March 14 across domestic and international routes, the airline said in a press statement on Friday. The announcement of the cess, which has been levied from time to time by airlines globally over the past two decades during periods of global crisis, comes three days after Air India group’s move. “IATA’s ‘jet fuel monitor’ indicates an over 85% increase in fuel prices for the region. ATF represents a significant share of airlines’ operating cost. This sudden and steep increase will have a material impact on all airlines’ costs and network, including IndiGo’s. While offsetting the entire impact of this fuel price surge requires a very substantial adjustment to fares, IndiGo has introduced a relatively smaller amount as a fuel charge keeping in mind the consequential burden on customers,” the statement said. IndiGo will levy Rs 425 as fuel charge on domestic and Indian subcontinent flights, Rs 900 on West Asia flights, Rs 1,800 on southeast Asia, China and Africa flights and Rs 2,300 on Europe flights. Air India group started levying a fuel surcharge between Rs 399 and $200 on its flights beginning Thursday, saying while it “regrets” the same, “some flights would be unable to cover operating costs and would have to be cancelled” if the surcharge is not applied. For years, airlines in India have been seeking some relief on excise and GST on fuel, to no avail.
