IndiGo fuel charge hike from October 6 as ATF prices rise

The IndiGo fuel charge hike from October 6 will increase the cost of new domestic and international bookings as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices continue to climb. IndiGo announced the revision on October 5, saying the latest rise in fuel costs had pushed ATF prices to among their highest levels in the past decade.

The revised charges apply to bookings made from 12:01 am on October 6. Tickets booked before the effective time will not be affected by the new charges.

For domestic flights, the IndiGo fuel surcharge will now range from ₹375 for journeys of up to 500 km to ₹1,300 for flights covering more than 2,000 km. The increases range from ₹100 to ₹350 compared with the previous charges.

International charges have also been revised according to destination. They now range from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000. Charges for several regions have increased, while the ₹10,000 charge for Europe remains unchanged.

The airline linked the latest IndiGo fuel charge hike to a month-on-month increase of more than 14% in fuel prices. IndiGo said ATF costs have remained volatile amid geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Jet fuel can account for up to 40% of airline operating costs, making sustained increases in ATF prices a significant expense for carriers. Higher fuel costs can therefore put additional pressure on domestic flight fares and international ticket prices.

IndiGo said a larger increase would have been required to fully offset the rise in fuel expenses, but described the latest adjustment as “measured and relatively modest.”

The IndiGo fuel charge hike from October 6 means passengers making new reservations will see the revised fuel component reflected in their fares. The effect will vary according to route distance for domestic flights and destination for international services.

IndiGo last raised its fuel charges in April. With ATF prices still elevated, further changes to airline pricing will depend on fuel costs and broader market conditions.