NEW DELHI, April 1: Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices soared over 114% to a record Rs 2,07,341 per kilolitre on Wednesday, driven by Middle East conflict-fueled global oil spikes—but domestic airlines face only an 8.5% moderated increase.
Non-scheduled, ad-hoc, and charter carriers must pay the full market rate, up Rs 1,10,703 per KL. Deregulated since 2001, ATF tracks international benchmarks, but government and oil firms opted for a “calibrated approach” to shield domestic aviation, sources said. This marks the first time prices crossed Rs 2 lakh/KL, topping the 2022 peak post-Russia-Ukraine invasion.
Fuel accounts for ~40% of airline costs, worsening strains from longer routes due to war-related airspace closures.
Commercial 19-kg LPG cylinders rose Rs 195.50 to Rs 2,078.50 in Delhi (up from Rs 114.50 hike on March 1). Domestic 14.2-kg cooking gas stays at Rs 913, unchanged since March 7 hike.
Petrol (Rs 94.72/L) and diesel (Rs 87.62/L) remain frozen since last year’s cut.
The Petroleum Ministry explained on X: ATF revisions follow monthly international formulas. Amid Strait of Hormuz closures, full hikes would exceed 100%; PSUs, with Civil Aviation Ministry, limited domestic carriers to a partial 25% pass-through (Rs 15,000/KL equivalent), while foreign routes pay global rates.
Global oil has jumped ~50% from West Asia disruptions. State oil firms IOCL, BPCL, and HPCL update prices monthly.
