A-I, SpiceJet raise fuel surcharge too

State-run Air India and budget carrier SpiceJet today increased their fuel surcharge by Rs 400. The decision comes just a day after a similar move was announced by private domestic airlines Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines.

An Air India spokesperson said: “We are increasing the fuel surcharge by Rs 400 effective from June 19.” He added the higher fares were for both long and short haul routes on the domestic sector.

Earlier in the day, low-cost carrier SpiceJet also raised its fuel surcharge on tickets by Rs 400 following a rise in jet fuel prices.

“We have raised the fuel surcharge across all sectors by Rs 400, effective immediately,” SpiceJet Chief Commercial Officer Samyukta Sridharan said.

On Wednesday, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines had raised fares on domestic sectors by a similar amount after aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices were increased by more than 12 per cent by state-run oil firms a day earlier.

The surcharge, which Jet Airways increased to Rs 3,400 a ticket, was for all tickets of Jet as well as its two wholly-owned low-fare subsidiaries, JetLite and Jet Airways Konnect. A company statement issued by Jet Airways had pointed out that the increase was necessitated by “...the sharp increase in ATF prices by 33 per cent since March 2009.