Air travel to get dearer

Air travel in the country is all set to get costlier as most of the carriers are planning to impose a fresh fuel surcharge of Rs 150 on tickets due to an increase in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices. Tickets purchased abroad will also attract the fuel surcharge.

The country's biggest carrier, Jet Airways, and the second largest, Indian, have decided to impose the fuel surcharge from August 8, 2006 onwards. This is the third revision of fuel surcharge in the last two months, mirroring the hike in ATF prices.

The carriers had two months back imposed a Rs 300 per ticket surcharge, which was later increased by Rs 200 last month.

The total fuel surcharge now stands at Rs 650. Low cost carrier Air Deccan is expected to announce the increased fuel surcharge on tomorrow. Other carriers like SpiceJet and Kingfisher are expected to take a call on imposing the fuel surcharge shortly.