National flag carrier, Air India has increased fuel surcharge by INR 200 ( little more than 2 GBP) on short haul domestic routes for distances below 1,400km and by INR 300 (little more than 3 GBP) on longer flights within the country in line with the latest rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. Other airlines are also expected to follow the suit.
Many Indian states impose sales tax as high as 30% on air turbine fuel which causes the total operating cost of an airline to rise manifold. Apparently airlines have been demanding Indian government to reduce taxes on ATF.
With this upward spiralling of ATF, budget tourists taking flights to India for winter holidays in peak travel months like December and January would now need to shell out more on air travel within the country.
Tourists taking cheap flights to India for holiday trips to cities like Goa, Banglore, etc, might need to spend a bomb as the average range of fares for flying from Delhi might witness a tremendous hike in the coming days.
While tourists taking cheap flights to India for winter holidays will have to shell out more for air fares to further cities, the high demand of cheap tickets in the peak travel months of January and December might also lead to a hike in basic fares.
Furthermore, tourists flying out from Delhi Airport would need to pay INR 221 (little more than 2 GBP) as the airport charges.
Tourists taking flights to India during peak travel months should make early bookings to grab cheap tickets on domestic flights and avoid airfare hikes.
Further, during the festive season most domestic airlines usually witness a virtual stampede for cheap tickets that makes it even more essential for holidaymakers contemplating Indian tours to make early bookings.
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