After IndiGo imposes surcharge on air tickets, SpiceJet and Akasa Air set to follow the path

Airfare Hike: Ahead of the festive season, when passengers have already been hit by the unavailability of train tickets, the increased airfares due to a hike in ATF prices will add insult to injury. Following IndiGo, which has already increased the surcharge on its air tickets, other budget airlines like SpiceJet and Akasa Air are all set to hike flight ticket prices.

Zee Business has learnt that while SpiceJet can make some announcement by Friday evening (October 6) regarding the ticket rate hike, Akasa Air is also ready to impose surcharge on its air tickets. When contacted, Air India declined to comment, but it didn't rule out the possibility of passing on the increased ATF rates to passengers.

Why IndiGo increased air fares

The airlines announced on Thursday that it would impose a surcharge of Rs 300 to Rs 1,000 starting Friday (October 6). The airline said that it was introducing a surcharge in the wake of the increased prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF). The airlines said that the surcharge will apply to tickets depending on the distance of the air travel. The airline also clarified on Friday that the surcharge won't be applicable to pre-scheduled flights and will be taken only if someone reschedules their flight.

What are ATF's new rates

The petroleum ministry last week revised ATF prices comprehensively to Rs 1,18,199.17 per kilolitre (kl) in Delhi, Rs 1,10,592.31 per kl in Mumbai, Rs 1,26,697.08 per kl in Kolkata, and Rs 1,22,423.92 per kl in Chennai. It was highly likely that the airlines would pass on the increased prices to passengers in the face of costlier air tickets. With IndiGo having already taken the step, the other airlines are seemingly toeing the same line. Come what may in the next 24 hours, it will ultimately be the passengers who will bear the burden of increased air ticket prices.

Festive season in India

The festive season in this part of the year begins with Navratri, which will fall on October 15, followed by Durga Puja Ashtami, Dussehra, Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, Chhath Puja, Christmas, and the New Year. Since a lot of people travel to their home towns to celebrate these festivals, tickets on trains and aeroplanes are in high demand and often unavailable because of the huge rush.