After cooking gas, the impact of US-Iran war started appearing on air travel, Air India increased fuel surcharge on tickets.

New Delhi : The ongoing tension in West Asia has now started affecting the pockets of common travelers. Air India and Air India Express have decided to increase the fuel surcharge on tickets. The company says that the price of jet fuel has suddenly increased. This has had a direct impact on the cost of flights. Flying for airlines has now become more expensive than before. Therefore, the company has decided to increase the ticket prices. After this decision, air travel will become a little more expensive.

Will domestic flights also be expensive?

Air India said that the first impact will be seen on domestic flights. Flight tickets operating within India may become costlier by around Rs 399. The same increase will be applicable on flights going to SAARC countries as well. The company is implementing it in phases. That is, the increase will not happen all at once but gradually. Passengers may have to pay more while booking tickets. The price may increase further in the coming days.

Surcharge increased on foreign flights

The impact on flights going abroad will be more visible. The surcharge on flights going to West Asia has been increased by about 10 dollars. On flights to South-East Asia, this increase has reached about 20 dollars. On flights going to Africa, there has been an increase of up to 30 dollars. This clearly means that international tickets will now be costlier than before. The cost of long distance flights may increase further. This will have a direct impact on the pockets of passengers.

Why is fuel so expensive?

The root of this whole matter is the price of jet fuel. The prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel i.e. ATF have increased rapidly since the beginning of March 2026. Due to war and tension in West Asia, oil supply has been affected. Pressure on many sea routes has also increased. Due to this, oil has become expensive in the international market. When oil becomes expensive, jet fuel also becomes expensive. And this directly impacts air travel.

Is flying expensive after gas?

The interesting thing is that this effect is not limited to flights only. Two days ago, the price of LPG cylinder was also increased in India. Domestic cylinder became costlier by about Rs 60. Commercial cylinder became costlier by about Rs 115. People also heard news of gas shortage in many places. However, the government clearly said that there is no need to panic. Instructions have been given to keep the supply of gas normal.

Why so much pressure on airlines?

A large part of the total expenditure of airline companies goes on fuel. About 40 percent of the operation cost is spent only on ATF. When fuel becomes expensive, the expenses of the companies increase rapidly. In cities like Delhi and Mumbai, the tax on ATF is also high. This includes excise duty and VAT. Due to this, the pressure on airlines increases further. Companies have to make tickets expensive.

Will travel become more expensive in future?

Air India has clearly said that the surcharge will be implemented in three phases. Right now only the initial increase has been implemented. If the tension in West Asia does not end soon, the situation may change. The price of oil may increase further. In such a situation, air travel may become more expensive. Experts believe that this effect may last for a long time. Passengers may have to spend more in the coming months.