ATF price up 5.5%; non-subsidised LPG cut by Rs 42

ATF or jet fuel price was today hiked by 5.5 per cent on global trends while rates of non-subsidised cooking gas LPG were cut by Rs 42 per cylinder.

Also, rates of non-subsidised kerosene were increased by 54 paise to Rs 43.18 per litre.

Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price in Delhi was raised by Rs 2245.92 per kilolitre (kl), or 5.48 per cent, to Rs 43,184.16 per kl, oil companies announced today.

The hike comes after a steep 11.7 per cent or Rs 5,469.12 per kl cut in rates to Rs 40,938.24 per kl effected from September 1, the third in straight monthly reduction. Prior to that jet fuel rate was cut by 9.4 per cent to Rs 46,407.36 on August 1 and by Rs 2,086.56 per kl to Rs 51,267.36 on July 1.

Rates vary at different airports because of differential local sales tax or value-added tax (VAT).

Jet fuel constitutes over 40 per cent of an airline's operating costs and the price increase will raise the financial burden on cash-strapped carriers.

No immediate comment was available from airlines on the impact of price reduction on passenger fares.

Simultaneously, the oil firms have also cut prices of non-subsidised LPG, which consumers buy after exhausting their quota of subsidised cooking fuel, by Rs 42 per 14.2-kg bottle.

Non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) now costs Rs 517.50 in Delhi.

This is the fourth reduction in rates in as many months. Non-subsidised LPG price was last cut by Rs 25.50 on September 1. Prior to that rates were cut by Rs 23.50 on August 1 and by Rs 18 per cylinder to Rs 608.50 on July 1.

Non-subsidised or market-priced LPG is one that consumers buy after exhausting their quota of 12 bottles of 14.2-kg each at subsidised rates in a year.

Subsidised LPG costs Rs 417.82 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

Also, the price of non-subsidised kerosene, available outside the ration shop, has been hiked to Rs 43,181.56 per kl or Rs 43.18 per litre, from Rs 42,643.09 per kl.

Subsidised kerosene currently costs Rs 14.96 a litre in Delhi.

The three fuel retailers - Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum - revise jet fuel prices, non- subsidised LPG and non-subsidised kerosene rates on the first day of every month, based on the average international price in the preceding month.