Air India has updated its fuel surcharge on both domestic and international routes as jet fuel prices continue to fluctuate globally. The revised charges will apply from 08 April 2026, with some long-haul routes seeing changes from 10 April 2026.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what travellers should expect and how it could impact ticket prices.
Domestic Flights: Distance-Based Fuel Surcharge Introduced
Effective April 08, 2026 (0901 hrs IST), Air India has moved from a flat surcharge to a distance-based structure for domestic flights. This follows the government’s decision to limit Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price hikes to 25%.
The updated fuel surcharge applies to all flights operated by Air India and Air India Express.
Fuel Surcharge Per Passenger (Per Flight Segment)
| Distance (km) | Fuel Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 0–500 km | ₹299 |
| 501–1000 km | ₹399 |
| 1001–1500 km | ₹549 |
| 1501–2000 km | ₹749 |
| 2000+ km | ₹899 |
This means shorter routes will see smaller increases, while longer domestic flights may carry slightly higher fuel charges.
International Flights: Higher Fuel Costs Push Surcharge Increase
Fuel prices globally have risen sharply in recent weeks. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the average jet fuel price increased from USD 99.40 per barrel in February to USD 195.19 by late March 2026, nearly doubling in a short period.
Another key factor is the refinery margin, also called the crack spread, which has jumped significantly in just a few weeks.
Air India says the updated surcharge still does not fully cover the increase in fuel costs, meaning the airline is absorbing part of the rise.
International Fuel Surcharge by Region
Effective 08 April 2026 (0901 hrs IST)
| Region | Fuel Surcharge |
|---|---|
| SAARC (excluding Bangladesh) | USD 24 |
| Middle East / West Asia | USD 50 |
| China & Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore) | USD 100 |
| Singapore | USD 60 |
| Africa | USD 130 |
Effective 10 April 2026 (0001 hrs IST)
| Region | Fuel Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Europe (including UK) | USD 205 |
| North America | USD 280 |
| Australia | USD 280 |
Changes for flights to Bangladesh, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea will be announced later after regulatory approvals.
Important Note for Travellers
It is worth noting here that flight tickets issued before the new surcharge takes effect will not be impacted, unless passengers make changes to their travel date or itinerary that require a fare recalculation.
Air India has also confirmed that fuel surcharges will be reviewed regularly, depending on global fuel price movements.
Global Airlines Increasing Fuel Surcharges
Air India is not alone in revising fuel surcharges. Airlines worldwide are increasing extra charges on tickets as Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices rise sharply amid tensions linked to the Iran–Israel conflict.
Jet fuel prices have jumped from about $2.20 per gallon to nearly $4.50 per gallon, a rise of more than 100% in a short period.
Airlines Increasing Fuel Surcharges
Apart from Air India, several global airlines have already increased fuel surcharges in response to rising operating costs:
- Cathay Pacific
- Air France–KLM
- Air New Zealand
- Hong Kong Airlines
- Greater Bay Airlines
- AirAsia
- Thai Airways
- Qantas
- Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- Korean Air
- IndiGo
- Akasa Air
- Spring Airlines
- SunExpress
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
- Virgin Australia
What This Means for Travellers
Fuel surcharges are a normal part of airline pricing, but sharp changes usually reflect volatility in oil markets. For travellers, this may result in slightly higher ticket prices, especially on long-haul international routes.
If you are planning travel soon, booking earlier may help avoid further fare adjustments if fuel prices continue to rise.
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