The continuing tensions between Israel, Iran and the US are also taking a toll on the airline industry as higher surcharges for increased fuel costs are raising airfares. On various routes (like Delhi), the lowest fares have increased by between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, making travel on many of these by air more expensive than they were one year ago.
Because of the rise in prices for jet fuel (ATF), many airlines started charging for these higher costs from:
- Air India - March 12
- IndiGo - March 14
- Akasa Airlines - March 15
As a result, the economy class fares to Delhi, as of the first week of April, which were typically between Rs 3,200 - Rs 3,500, are now between Rs 4,200 - Rs 4,400.
IndiGo flight 6E-6480 to Delhi is charged at Rs 4,178, which includes Rs 2,079 in taxes, including fuel surcharge (base fare = Rs 2,099).
Mumbai fares also see similar increases, with typical pricing for flights normally being Rs 5,900 - Rs 6,200 now increased to Rs 6,900 - Rs 7,200. Flights operating from Lucknow to Bengaluru on April 5 are priced at Rs 9,700 - Rs 10,833, while the fare would normally be around Rs 8,000.
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Fares for non-stop service to Pune are priced between Rs 12,041 and Rs 13,310, as airlines maintain a minimum pricing structure above Rs 9,000 due to high occupancy levels.
Prices have increased substantially on many other routes as well:
- Lucknow to Chandigarh is now priced at Rs 9,311
- Lucknow to Kolkata is at Rs 7,158
- Lucknow to Goa is at Rs 8,418
- fares to Chennai have seen increases of over Rs 20,000