New Delhi, October 8
The unprecedented increase in the prices of the aviation turbine fuel (ATF) today forced three majors to announce an across-the-board hike of 10 per cent in their air fares from October 14.

While Indian Airlines and Jet Airways effected a matching increase in their advance purchase fare schemes, there was some relief available to passengers from Air Sahara , which said it would not touch its 'Surprice' scheme though prices of tickets under all other schemes would see an increase.

This is the second hike in the domestic air fares within four months. Earlier, domestic air fares were raised by 10 per cent in June last to offset the 38 per cent increase in world crude prices.

Under the new fare structure, a Delhi-Mumbai economy ticket of IA would cost Rs 7,920 as against the existing Rs 7,215, while that of Jet Airways would be Rs 7,915 compared with Rs 7,210 now.

Airline officials said the fare increase would be applicable in case of all tickets issued or reissued on or after October 14. Confirmed tickets issued before this date would be accepted for travel at the pre-revised fares for the ticketed itinerary within the validity of the ticket.

The three carriers said their bottomlines had been hit badly by the unprecedented rise in world crude prices and the consequential increase of 20 per cent in the price of the ATF.

The increase in the ATF prices has led to a rise in the airlines' operating costs to over 33 per cent.

The domestic ATF price has touched an unprecedented level of Rs 30,800 per kilolitre as against Rs 26,000 per kl in June. The ATF was priced at Rs 21,530 per kl in March this year.

The new IA fares on certain sectors would be as follows: Delhi-Chennai Rs 11,795, Delhi-Kolkata Rs 9,015, Bangalore-Mumbai Rs 5,535, Chennai-Kolkata Rs 10,185, Delhi-Pune Rs 9,490 and Kolkata-Guwahati Rs 3,955.

Jet Airways' fares on these sectors would be Rs 11,790, Rs 9,075, Rs 5,800, Rs 10,265, Rs 9,485 and Rs 3,955, respectively.