Air India and Akasa Air will raise or reintroduce charges on new bookings from October 9, 2026, as aviation turbine fuel prices remain elevated. Air India Express will also revise its rates. The new fuel surcharge varies by route and distance.
The changes apply to one-way sectors and are added to the applicable fare. They follow sustained pressure on fuel costs linked by the airlines to geopolitical developments and global energy markets.
The three carriers will not switch to the new charges at the same time. Booking cutoffs fall on October 9.
The revised amounts differ for domestic and international routes. Passengers booking after each airline's stated cutoff will face its applicable schedule.
The booking cutoffs start at three different times
Air India Express applies its revised rates to bookings made from 12:00 a.m. IST on October 9. Air India's new charges start at 11:00 a.m. IST that day.
Akasa's schedule starts for bookings made from 12:01 a.m. on October 9. The times refer to when the booking is made, and each carrier's charges apply to one-way sectors.
Domestic charges rise by distance, with different brackets
The domestic amounts are calculated by sector distance. The schedules overlap at some bands, but not all.
| One-way domestic sector | Air India and Express | Akasa |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 km | ₹400 | ₹375 |
| 501–1,000 km | ₹600 | ₹600 |
| 1,001–1,500 km | ₹850 | ₹900 |
| 1,501–2,000 km | ₹1,200 | ₹1,150* |
| Above 2,000 km | ₹1,200 | ₹1,150* |
*Akasa's listed rate covers sectors above 1,500 km.
The first band costs ₹400 on Air India and Express, compared with ₹375 on Akasa. Both schedules charge ₹600 for journeys from 501 to 1,000 km.
The rates diverge for longer flights. The Air India and Express charge reaches ₹850 for 1,001–1,500 km, then ₹1,200 for sectors above 1,500 km. Akasa lists ₹900 for 1,001–1,500 km and ₹1,150 for every sector above 1,500 km.
International fees depend on region or listed country routes
The international schedules use different methods: Air India and Express set regional amounts in U.S. dollars, while Akasa applies a flat rupee fee on six listed country links.
| International route | One-way charge |
|---|---|
| North America, Air India and Express | US$215 |
| Australia, Air India and Express | US$210 |
| Europe, including the UK, Air India and Express | US$135 |
| West Asia and the Middle East, Air India and Express | US$55 |
| India to Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Thailand or Vietnam, Akasa | ₹2,500 |
The Akasa amount covers flights connecting India with Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and Vietnam. The charge is the same across those destinations. The other carrier's four regional rates run from US$55 for West Asia and the Middle East to US$215 for North America.
Fuel prices have climbed through successive increases
Air India attributed its move to recent fuel-market swings and geopolitical developments. It said ATF had experienced “significant volatility in recent months, driven largely by geopolitical developments and sustained pressure on global energy markets.”
The reported rise in ATF prices exceeded 14% month on month, with domestic airlines paying ₹137 per litre, up from ₹121 per litre. The increase followed a ₹6.28 per litre rise in September, or 5.46%, after a further ₹5-per-litre increase in August.
Airlines are applying route- or distance-based charges rather than one universal amount. The announced fees are intended to offset part of the higher fuel burden.
Akasa also linked its decision to fuel costs. The airline said ATF “constitutes a significant component of airline operating costs, and the continued increase in fuel prices has placed sustained pressure on airline operating costs across the industry.”
It described the surcharge as “a measured approach to partially offset the impact.” Its revised international amount covers the six listed India routes, while the domestic fee returns after a pause.
Akasa is bringing back its domestic levy after withdrawing it
Akasa introduced surcharges in March and later withdrew the domestic charge. The October 9 change restores that levy and revises the international amount for the listed destinations.
The airline's statement describes fuel-price pressure as continuing, not as a one-time increase. Its new domestic schedule runs from ₹375 to ₹1,150, depending on sector length.
Air India and Express said they would review their charges periodically and adjust them as required. That leaves the amounts subject to later changes tied to fuel prices and operating conditions.
IndiGo's revised charges took effect three days earlier
IndiGo increased its domestic charge from October 6, 2026, ahead of the October 9 changes. Its domestic increase ranges from ₹100 to ₹350 per sector, depending on distance, while its international fees rose by up to ₹2,500 per sector.
The successive changes come during India's festive travel season. The final added amount depends on the carrier, route, distance, currency of the international charge and other fare components.
The first October 9 cutoff arrives at 12:00 a.m. IST, when bookings on Air India Express begin carrying the revised amount.
