Tech & Biz

Air travel to become costlier in India as airlines hike fares

by Sanjay Jha | July 31, 2008 at 11:25 pm

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Airlines companies in India have been increasing the airfare after the steep rise in fuel prices. India has witnessed spectacular growth in aviation business and many low fare airlines came up during the boom time. But it seems most of them have entered into rough patch. They are not only increasing the fare but also cutting down their unviable routes. Today Oil companies hiked ATF prices by 2.8 per cent on the back of a surge in international oil prices.

Making air travel costlier, private air carriers Kingfisher and Jet Airways on Thursday announced a hike in their fares.

While Jet Airways hiked its economy class fares by 10 per cent and that of business class by 5 per cent, Vijay Mallya- owned Kingfisher announced a 10 per cent rise in base fares across-the-board.

"Economy class fares have been hiked by 10 per cent and business class by five per cent," a Jet Airways spokesperson said.

When asked whether the hike was linked to ATF price increase announced by state-run oil firms earlier in the day, Jet Airways spokesperson said, "It has nothing to do with the 2.8 per cent rise in air turbine fuel (ATF)."

"The decision has been taken after a commercial review of the pricing," the spokesperson added.

However, the airline's subsidiary Jetlite has so far not effected any hike

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sreenath_y

at 01:48 on August 1st, 2008

sreenath_y has contributed a photo to this story.

Sanjay Jha

at 04:48 on August 1st, 2008

Thanks for joining and contributing the pics, Cheers

Online airfare (not verified)

at 23:13 on August 3rd, 2008

Yes, Due to increase in fuel prices the airfare rates have also increased recently, Which has effected on many people and also the airlines company. So many business persons or travelers are looking for alternative cheap airlines.