Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air Add Fuel Charge Amid Iran War: How Much Will Fares Rise?

Air travel in India could soon become more expensive as airlines introduce fuel surcharges to offset rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. Carriers including Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have begun adding extra charges on tickets after fuel prices surged amid the US and Israel's unprovoked war on Iran. Industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) chief Willie Walsh has warned that global airfares could rise by up to 9% as airlines face higher fuel and operational costs, Bloomberg reported.

Also Read: Influencer Drives From Doha To Riyadh To Escape Iran War. His Journey Is A Viral Video

What A Fuel Surcharge Means

A fuel surcharge is an extra fee added to tickets when jet fuel prices rise sharply. Fuel typically accounts for about a quarter of an airline's total operating costs, making sudden price spikes difficult for carriers to absorb.

What Airlines Are Charging

IndiGo

India's largest airline, IndiGo, introduced a tiered fuel surcharge on new bookings starting March 14. Domestic and regional flights will have a ₹425 surcharge. Flights to West Asia will add ₹900. Routes to Southeast Asia, China and Africa will carry ₹1,800, while Europe flights will have the highest surcharge of ₹2,300. 

Fuel charge on bookings

Due to the sharp increase in fuel prices amid the evolving geopolitical situation in parts of the Middle East, IndiGo will implement a fuel charge on domestic and international routes for bookings made on or after 14 March 2026.

Please find the detailed… pic.twitter.com/Q0CGCPz59I

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 13, 2026

Air India

Air India and Air India Express have introduced a ₹399 surcharge on domestic tickets.

International surcharges:

• West Asia: $10 (₹830)
• Africa: $30-$90 (₹2,490-₹7,470)
• Southeast Asia: $20-$60 (₹1,660-₹4,980)

From March 18, long-haul charges will increase:

• Europe: $125 (₹10,375)
• North America: $200 (₹16,600)

Air India group today announced a phased expansion of a fuel surcharge on its domestic and international routes, necessitated by the steep rise in jet fuel prices arising from the geopolitical situation in the Gulf region.

The new fuel surcharges are being implemented in three… pic.twitter.com/jLtA5r3eXT

— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2026

Akasa Air

Akasa Air announced a fuel surcharge from March 15, charging between ₹199 and ₹1,300 on domestic and international tickets depending on flight duration.

Important update pic.twitter.com/kdBhX3aCXW

— Akasa Air (@AkasaAir) March 14, 2026

Also Read: Dubai Attractions Offer Free Entry And Discounts As Iran-Israel War Continues

Why Prices Are Rising

The ongoing war in the Gulf has disrupted oil supply routes and shipping, while tensions around the Strait of Hormuz (which carries about one-fifth of the world's oil supply) have further strained global energy flows. Many airlines are also avoiding parts of West Asian airspace due to security concerns, forcing flights to take longer routes and burn more fuel.

The pressure is not limited to Indian carriers. Cathay Pacific plans to raise its long-haul passenger fuel surcharge to HK$1,164 (about ₹12,400) from March 18.