On Wednesday, the prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel or ATF, or jet fuel, more than doubled to a record Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre. The reason for this is the rise in global oil prices due to the increasing conflict in West Asia. This is the first time that ATF prices have crossed the Rs 2 lakh per kiloliter (kl) mark. ATF prices in Delhi were increased from Rs 96,638.14 per kl to Rs 207,341.22 per kl. Jet fuel prices were increased by 5.7 per cent (Rs 5,244.75 per kl) on March 1. It is feared that air passengers may soon have to face expensive fares.
Prices for domestic flights increased by nearly 115%
State-owned oil companies released new ATF rates on Wednesday morning, increasing prices by about 115% for domestic flights and by about 107% for international flights. The continuous decline in the rupee is also increasing the problems of airlines, because most of their expenses are in dollars. Talking about the prices of ATF for domestic flights, the price of one kiloliter (1,000 liters) of ATF has been increased by about 114.5% at the country’s busiest airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport. This is the first time that the price of ATF has crossed Rs 2 lakh per kiloliter in major cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.
Today’s price at Mumbai airport
An increase of about 115% has been recorded in the price of ATF at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (Mumbai), the second busiest airport in the country. Here the price has increased from Rs 90,451.87 per kiloliter to Rs 1,94,968.67 in April. This record increase in ATF prices is expected to have a direct impact on air fares, which may put additional burden on passengers’ pockets in the coming days.