Flight tickets to get more expensive as jet fuel price surges to all-time high

Flight tickets are likely to get costlier now as jet fuel prices on Monday were hiked by a steep 5.3 per cent to an all-time high. This is the 10th straight increase in jet fuel prices this year, in line with a surge in global energy prices.

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The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) -- the fuel that helps aeroplanes fly -- was hiked by Rs 6,188.25 per kilolitre, or 5.29 per cent, to Rs 1,23,039.71 per kl (Rs 123 per litre) in the national capital, according to a price notification of state-owned fuel retailers.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel prices remained unchanged for the 41st straight day after rising by a record Rs 10 per litre each.

Jet fuel prices are revised on the 1st and 16th of every month, while petrol and diesel rates are revised daily, based on equivalent rates in the international market.

Petrol and diesel prices were hiked by Rs 10 a litre between March 22 and April 6 and have remained on freeze thereafter. State-owned oil firms have offered no reason for keeping petrol and diesel prices on freeze while raising ATF rates.

Petrol costs Rs 105.41 a litre in the national capital and diesel is priced at Rs 96.67 per litre.

The increase in ATF price comes on the back of the steepest ever hike of 18.3 per cent (Rs 17,135.63 per kl) effected on March 16 and a 2 per cent (Rs 2,258.54 per kl) increase on April 1. Prices were increased by a marginal 0.2 per cent on April 16, followed by a Rs 3,649.13 per kl (3.2 per cent) hike on May 1.

ATF in Mumbai now costs Rs 1,21,847.11 per kl, while it is priced at Rs 1,27,854.60 in Kolkata and Rs 1,27,286.13 in Chennai. Rates differ from state to state, depending on the incidence of local taxation.

Fuel rates have been increased in India because energy prices globally have risen on the back of supply concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demand returning after being hit by the pandemic. India is 85 per cent dependent on imports to meet its oil needs.

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While oil prices have eased from a near 14-year high of USD 140 per barrel, it continues to trade above USD 100. On Monday, Brent - the world's most used benchmark - was trading at USD 109.76 per barrel.

To compound things, the rupee has depreciated against the US dollar, making imports costlier. It closed at an all-time low of 77.55 to a US dollar on Friday. Forex markets were closed on Monday on the account of Buddha Purnima.

Jet fuel, which makes up for almost 40 per cent of the running cost of an airline, has this year surged to new highs. ATF prices have increased every fortnight since the start of 2022. In the nine hikes beginning January 1, ATF prices have been increased by Rs 49,017.8 per kl (Rs 49 per litre) or nearly 55 per cent.