Aviation Biju John | April 07, 2026

Air India group announces revisions to fuel surcharge amid sharp rise in global jet fuel prices

Air India has announced a major revision to its fuel surcharge structure in response to the sharp rise in global jet fuel prices.

Domestic Routes
- Moving from a flat surcharge to a distance-based grid.
- Effective 08 April 2026, the surcharge per passenger, per sector will be:
- 0–500 km → ₹299
- 501–1000 km → ₹399
- 1001–1500 km → ₹549
- 1501–2000 km → ₹749
- 2000+ km → ₹899

International Routes
- With no cap on international ATF prices, surcharges are higher.
- Effective 08 April 2026 (some regions from 10 April):
- SAARC (excluding Bangladesh) → USD 24
- West Asia/Middle East → USD 50
- China & Southeast Asia (excl. Singapore) → USD 100
- Singapore → USD 60
- Africa → USD 130
- Europe (incl. UK) → USD 205
- North America → USD 280
- Australia → USD 280

Context
- Global jet fuel prices nearly doubled in March 2026, reaching USD 195.19 per barrel.
- Refinery margins (“crack spread”) tripled in three weeks, intensifying cost pressures.
- Air India notes that these surcharges do not fully cover the rise in costs, as the airline continues to absorb a significant portion.

Tickets issued before the effective dates remain unaffected unless customers change their travel dates or itineraries.