Govt intervenes to soften ATF shock, allows only partial pass-through to airlines

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at protecting domestic air travel from a sharp global fuel shock, the government has limited the increase in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic airlines to 25 per cent, even as international benchmarks indicated a potential surge of over 100 per cent.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said the decision comes in response to an “extraordinary situation in global energy markets,” triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. To prevent a steep rise in airfares, public sector oil marketing companies, in consultation with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, implemented only a partial and staggered increase.

“ATF prices in India were deregulated in 2001 and are revised on monthly basis based on a formula of international benchmarks. Due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz and extraordinary situation in global energy markets, price of ATF for domestic markets was expected to increase by more than 100 per cent on 1 April,” the post read.

“In order to insulate the domestic travel costs from the substantial increase in international prices, PSU Oil Marketing Companies of the Ministry of Petroleum, in consultation with Ministry of Civil Aviation, have passed only a partial and staggered increase of 25 per cent (only Rs.15/litre) to the airlines,” the Ministry further wrote on X.

However, the government clarified that international flight operations will not receive similar relief. “Foreign routes will pay for the full increase in ATF prices consistent with what they pay in other parts of the world,” the statement added.

ATF prices in India were deregulated in 2001 and are revised on monthly basis based on a formula of international benchmarks. Due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz and extraordinary situation in global energy markets, price of ATF for domestic markets was expected to increase by…

— Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas #MoPNG (@PetroleumMin) April 1, 2026

According to the revised rates effective April 1, 2026, ATF prices across major metro cities have risen notably. In Delhi, prices increased to Rs 1,04,927 per kilolitre from Rs 96,638.14 in March. Kolkata saw a jump to Rs 1,09,450 from Rs 99,587.14, while Mumbai’s rates rose to Rs 98,247 from Rs 90,451.87. In Chennai, ATF is now priced at Rs 1,09,873 compared to Rs 1,00,280.49 last month.

ATF prices in India have been deregulated since 2001 and are revised monthly based on international benchmarks. The intervention comes amid an extraordinary global energy situation triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit chokepoint.

Earlier today, the prices of LPG cylinders have been revised upward with effect from April 1, with commercial and smaller cylinders witnessing a significant increase across key cities. In Delhi, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has been increased to Rs 2,078.50, marking a rise of Rs 195.50. Meanwhile, the 5 kg FTL cylinder is now priced at Rs 549 per refill, reflecting an increase of Rs 51, sources said.

In Kolkata, the price of a 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder has gone up by Rs 218, indicating a broader trend of rising fuel costs across urban centres. Meanwhile, domestic cooking gas LPG rates, which were last hiked by Rs 60 per 14.2-kg cylinder on March 7, remain unchanged. It costs Rs 913 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi.

The latest revision comes against the backdrop of escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global transit route for crude oil and energy supplies. (ANI)