Now there is going to be additional burden on the pockets of passengers traveling by Air India and Air India Express. The airline has announced the imposition of a new fuel surcharge in view of the rising prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia. This new charge will be implemented on both domestic and international routes from March 12, 2026. This increase will be done in three different phases which will have a direct impact on expatriates and common people traveling in many countries including the Gulf.
How much extra charge will be charged on which route?
This surcharge is divided according to the date and route of booking. The first phase will start from 12 March 2026 and the second phase will be implemented from 18 March 2026. Charges for Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea in the third phase will be announced in the coming days. Information about the new charge is given in the table below.
Route / Region New Surcharge (Price) When Applicable Domestic (India) & SAARC ₹399 (New Charge) 12 March 2026 Gulf (Middle East) $10 (New Charge) 12 March 2026 Southeast Asia $60 (Increased by $20) 12 March 2026 Africa $90 (Increased by $30) 12 March 2026 Europe $125 (Increased by $25) March 18, 2026 North America and Australia $200 (increased by $50) March 18, 2026
Apart from this, surcharge will also be imposed on Singapore flights for the first time.
What will be the effect on old ticket holders?
If you have booked your ticket before the date of implementation of the new rules, then you do not need to pay extra money. Air India has clarified that this new surcharge will not be applicable on old booked tickets. However, if passengers make any changes in their travel date or ticket, they will have to pay a new charge. The Civil Aviation Ministry is also keeping an eye on the situation so that air fares remain within the reach of common people even during times of crisis.
What is the main reason for imposing surcharge?
About 40 percent of the airline’s operating expenses are spent on jet fuel alone. Due to tension in West Asia, fuel has become very expensive. High taxes on fuel in big cities like Delhi and Mumbai have further increased this economic pressure. Airline officials said that if this surcharge had not been imposed, it would have become difficult to operate many flights and they might have had to be cancelled. Amidst all this, Air India has also operated 78 additional flights between March 10 and 18 for the convenience of the affected passengers from the Middle East.
