MUSCAT: Travel between Oman and India is set to become more expensive after IndiGo raised its fuel charge to INR 5,500 (RO 22) per sector on routes serving the GCC and the Middle East, citing rising jet fuel prices.

The revised charge applies regardless of distance to bookings made from 12.01 a.m. on October 6, the airline said in a statement on Monday. It is added to the ticket price.

The adjustment affects services between India and Oman, along with other GCC destinations.

IndiGo said the latest month-on-month increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices exceeded 14%, pushing costs to levels among the highest in the past decade.

“Given that Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) makes up a significant share of airlines’ operating costs, this rise is expected to impact airlines’ cost structures and network economics, including those of IndiGo,” the airline said.

India’s largest airline also raised fuel surcharges on domestic flights by between 100 and 350 rupees, depending on distance, adding to travel costs within the country.

IndiGo said it had recalibrated charges across its domestic and international network while seeking to limit the impact on passengers.

“While offsetting the increase in fuel costs would have required a significantly larger increase in the fuel charges, IndiGo has implemented a measured and relatively modest adjustment to minimise the impact on customers,” it said.

On other international routes, revised fuel charges range from 1,000 rupees for SAARC services of up to 500 kilometres to 10,000 rupees for European services. Charges are set at 5,500 rupees for Southeast Asia and North and East Asia, and 6,000 rupees for Africa.

The airline said it would continue to monitor fuel prices and make further adjustments “as and when appropriate”.