Airfares in India may soon feel a little heavier on the wallet. Akasa Air has announced that it will introduce a fuel surcharge on flights starting March 15, 2026. The move comes as Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices climb sharply, largely due to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

It is worth noting here that fuel is one of the biggest expenses for airlines. When prices surge, carriers often adjust fares to offset the rising cost of operations. That is exactly what is happening now.

New Fuel Surcharge Starts March 15

Akasa Air confirmed that bookings made from 00:01 AM on March 15, 2026, will include a new fuel surcharge. The additional charge will range between ₹199 and ₹1,300 per sector, depending on the flight duration.

Here are the key points travellers should know:

• The surcharge applies to both domestic and international flights
• It will be charged per flight sector
• The exact amount depends on how long the flight is
• Bookings made before March 15 will not be affected

For example, a shorter domestic flight will likely attract a smaller surcharge, while longer routes could see the higher end of the range.

Why Airlines Are Adding Fuel Surcharges

The price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) has been rising in recent weeks. Much of this increase is linked to global oil market volatility and tensions affecting supply routes in the Middle East.

Fuel typically accounts for 30 to 40 per cent of an airline’s operating costs. Even a small increase in fuel prices can significantly impact airline finances.

As a result, airlines sometimes introduce temporary fuel surcharges instead of permanently increasing ticket prices.

IndiGo and Air India Have Already Raised Surcharges

Akasa Air is not alone. Earlier this week, India’s largest airline, IndiGo, introduced a higher fuel surcharge across its network. The airline raised charges depending on route length, with increases reaching up to ₹2,300 per sector.

Full-service carrier Air India has also announced a new fuel surcharge on March 12, 2026, citing the same pressure from rising ATF prices.

With multiple airlines adjusting surcharges at the same time, travellers may see slightly higher ticket prices across the market.

What This Means for Travellers

For most passengers, the change will appear as a separate fuel surcharge in the ticket price breakdown.

While the increase may not be huge on shorter flights, it could add noticeable costs on longer routes or connecting journeys where the fee is applied per sector.

Travel experts suggest booking early when possible. If fuel prices stabilise or fall in the coming months, airlines may review or reduce the surcharge.

For now, though, the message from airlines is clear: rising fuel costs are forcing the industry to adjust fares.

Will the Surcharge Stay?

Akasa Air says it will review the surcharge periodically as fuel prices and operating conditions change. In other words, the extra fee is not necessarily permanent. But as long as fuel prices remain high, travellers should expect airlines to keep these surcharges in place.

For frequent flyers and budget travellers alike, it may be a good time to watch fares closely and compare prices before booking.

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