Airfares

Air travel is set to become more expensive as IndiGo increases fuel charges from tomorrow, October 6, following a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices.

The airline has revised fuel charges for both domestic and international flights. The new charges will apply to bookings made from 12:01 am on October 6, 2026.

Jet fuel prices rise sharply

IndiGo said the latest month-on-month increase in ATF prices has exceeded 14%, taking aviation fuel costs to among their highest levels in the past decade.

The airline said ATF represents a significant portion of airline operating costs. The increase in fuel prices has therefore put additional pressure on its cost structure.

ATF prices in India were increased by about ₹16 per litre, or roughly 13.2%, from October 1, taking the price from around ₹121 to ₹137 per litre.

Domestic airfares to get costlier

For domestic flights, IndiGo has increased the fuel surcharge depending on the distance of the journey.

The additional fuel charge will vary by route, with the increase reported at ₹100 to ₹350 per sector.

The revised total fuel charges for domestic bookings range from ₹375 for flights up to 500 km to ₹1,300 for flights covering more than 2,000 km.

This means passengers booking IndiGo flights from October 6 are likely to pay more than they would under the previous fuel-charge structure.

International flights also affected

The fuel-charge revision is not limited to domestic travel.

IndiGo has also revised fuel charges on international routes, with the amount varying according to the destination and distance. The airline said the adjustment has been made across its international network as fuel costs continue to rise.

The increase comes at a time when global energy markets remain volatile and geopolitical tensions have contributed to uncertainty around fuel prices.

Why airfares are rising

Fuel is one of the largest operating expenses for airlines. When jet fuel becomes more expensive, carriers face higher costs for operating each flight.

Airlines can absorb some of those costs, but sustained increases can eventually be passed on to passengers through fuel surcharges or higher ticket prices.

IndiGo said the continuing increase in fuel prices was the reason behind its decision to recalibrate charges across its domestic and international flights.

What passengers should know

Passengers who make new bookings from 12:01 am on October 6 will be subject to the revised fuel charges.

Existing bookings made before the new charges take effect will not be affected by this particular revision.

For travellers planning flights during the festive season, the higher fuel component could add to overall travel costs at a time when airfares on some routes are already under pressure from strong demand and limited capacity.

The latest move by IndiGo also highlights the wider impact of rising energy prices on India's aviation sector.

If jet fuel prices remain elevated, airlines could continue to face pressure on operating costs, potentially affecting ticket prices in the coming weeks.

Source attribution: Reuters, IndiGo, NDTV, Business Standard, Economic Times and India Today.