Air India has revised its fuel surcharge structure for both domestic and international routes, with the new changes coming into effect from April 8, 2026, including flights operated by Air India Express.
Domestic routes
Following decisions by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to cap the increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices at 25%, Air India has aligned its pricing strategy accordingly. The airline is shifting from a flat fuel surcharge to a distance-based grid system across domestic routes.
FUEL SURCHARGE PER PASSENGER, PER SECTOR
| Distance Band (km) | Revised Fuel Surcharge | Effective From |
|---|---|---|
| 0–500 | INR 299 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| 501–1000 | INR 399 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| 1001–1500 | INR 549 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| 1501–2000 | INR 749 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| 2000+ | INR 899 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
International routes
For international operations, where no such price cap exists, the airline is implementing sharper revisions in fuel surcharges due to rising global fuel costs.
As per data from the International Air Transport Association, global jet fuel prices surged to USD 195.19 per barrel for the week ending March 27, 2026—nearly doubling from USD 99.40 at the end of February. Alongside rising crude oil prices, refinery margins, known as the ‘crack spread’, have also jumped significantly—from USD 27.83 to USD 81.44 per barrel within three weeks—further intensifying cost pressures on airlines.
Despite these increases, Air India stated that the revised fuel surcharges on international routes do not fully offset the sharp rise in fuel expenses, and the airline continues to absorb a substantial portion of the cost.
FUEL SURCHARGE PER PASSENGER, PER SECTOR – BY REGION
| Region | Revised Fuel Surcharge | Effective From |
|---|---|---|
| SAARC (excluding Bangladesh) | USD 24 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| West Asia / Middle East | USD 50 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| China & Southeast Asia (excluding Singapore) | USD 100 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| Singapore | USD 60 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| Africa | USD 130 | 0901 Hrs IST, 08 April 2026 |
| Europe (including the United Kingdom) | USD 205 | 0001 Hrs IST, 10 April 2026 |
| North America | USD 280 | 0001 Hrs IST, 10 April 2026 |
| Australia | USD 280 | 0001 Hrs IST, 10 April 2026 |
Revisions for routes to Bangladesh and Far East destinations such as Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea will be announced later, subject to regulatory approvals.
The airline clarified that tickets issued before the revised surcharge comes into effect will not be impacted unless passengers make changes to their travel dates or itineraries.
Air India added that fuel surcharges will be reviewed periodically and adjusted based on market conditions.
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