Flying IndiGo gets costlier as airline raises fuel charges after another ATF hike
IndiGo will increase fuel charges for both domestic and international flights starting from October 6, 2026. The increase follows a 13.2% rise in aviation turbine fuel prices since October 1. Domestic fuel charges will vary based on distance, while international charges will be categorized by regions. This is the third consecutive monthly increase in ATF costs, reaching a decade high.
IndiGo on Monday said the airline will raise fuel charges on domestic and international flights as higher aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices put pressure on airline costs.The revised charges will apply to all new bookings made from 0001 hours on October 6, 2026. The move comes days after domestic ATF prices rose by Rs 16 per litre, or about 13.2%, from Rs 121 to around Rs 137 per litre from October 1. This is the third consecutive monthly increase, after prices rose by Rs 5 per litre in August and Rs 6.28 per litre in September.Also Read: Festive travel squeeze: Domestic airfares jump up to 68% as flight options narrowIndiGo said the latest month-on-month increase in fuel prices exceeded 14%, taking ATF costs to among their highest levels in the last decade.
ATF accounts for a significant share of airline operating costs and affects airlines' cost structures and network economics.For domestic flights, the fuel charge will range from Rs 375 to Rs 1,300 per sector, depending on distance.Domestic routeApril fuel chargeNew fuel charge0-500 kmRs 275Rs 375501-1,000 kmRs 400Rs 6001,001-1,500 kmRs 600Rs 9001,501-2,000 kmRs 800Rs 1,150Above 2,000 kmRs 950Rs 1,300IndiGo had last revised its domestic fuel charges in April, when it moved to a distance-based structure ranging from Rs 275 to Rs 950 per sector.Shares of IndiGo operator InterGlobe Aviation were trading at Rs 4927.15 on the BSE around 12.30 PM on October 5, up 0.12%.
International fuel chargesThe revised charges will be Rs 1,000 for SAARC routes up to 500 km and Rs 3,000 for longer SAARC routes. The charge will be Rs 5,500 for Southeast Asia, GCC and Middle East, and North and East Asia routes.For Africa, the charge will be Rs 6,000, while Europe will carry a Rs 10,000 fuel charge.Also Read: IndiGo appoints Gaurav Hazrati as business head BluChip loyalty programmeThe latest increase comes as airlines face renewed pressure from fuel costs.
IndiGo had said in May that it was considering fuel hedging after a sharp rise in jet fuel prices squeezed margins.International routeNew fuel chargeSAARC, up to 500 kmRs 1,000SAARC, 501 km and aboveRs 3,000Southeast AsiaRs 5,500GCC & Middle EastRs 5,500North & East AsiaRs 5,500AfricaRs 6,000EuropeRs 10,000The airline said the latest increase in fuel charges is still below what would be required to fully offset the rise in fuel costs.
While offsetting the increase in fuel costs would have required a significantly larger increase in the fuel charges, IndiGo has implemented a measured and relatively modest adjustment to minimise the impact on customers. IndiGo regrets the additional burden these revised fuel charges may place on its customers. However, the decision reflects the sustained increase in operating costs and the evolving market environment.
IndiGo will continue to monitor the situation and make relevant adjustments as and when appropriate, the airline said.