Flying in India is about to get more expensive. Akasa Air on Saturday announced it will introduce a fuel surcharge ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 on all domestic and international routes, effective from 00:01 hours on March 15, 2026. The charge applies on a per-sector basis and varies with flight duration. Tickets booked before midnight on March 14 will not be affected.
The budget carrier cited a significant rise in aviation turbine fuel prices driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East as the reason for the move. With this announcement, Akasa Air joins Air India and IndiGo, making it the third major Indian airline in quick succession to pass on rising fuel costs to passengers.
Air India was the first to act, rolling out surcharges in phases from March 12. Domestic and SAARC routes now carry an additional Rs 399, while West Asia routes attract a $10 surcharge. From March 18, long-haul surcharges will rise further, with Europe-bound flights seeing charges climb from $100 to $125 and North America routes going up to $200.
IndiGo followed with a flat Rs 425 surcharge on domestic and Indian subcontinent routes from March 14, rising to Rs 900 for Middle East destinations, Rs 1,800 for South-East Asia and Africa, and Rs 2,300 for European routes. The airline cited IATA data showing fuel prices in the region had risen by more than 85 percent.
The root cause is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict, which has severely disrupted global energy supply chains and sent crude oil prices surging. Aviation turbine fuel, which accounts for roughly 40 percent of airline operating costs, has been among the hardest-hit commodities.
Budget carrier SpiceJet has warned that airlines have few options beyond surcharges if oil prices remain elevated, and has urged the government to reduce excise duty and VAT on jet fuel. AirAsia India has also confirmed plans to raise fares. With no resolution to the conflict in sight, passengers should expect ticket prices to remain under pressure in the weeks ahead.