New Delhi, April 1 The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, more than doubled to a record Rs 2.07 lakh per kilolitre on Wednesday, while commercial LPG rates were raised by Rs 195.50 per cylinder, mirroring the surge in global oil prices linked to the escalating conflict in West Asia.
In Delhi, the price of ATF was increased by Rs 110,703.08 per kilolitre, or 114.5%, to Rs 207,341.22 per kl, according to state-owned fuel retailers.
This is the first time ever that ATF prices have exceeded the Rs 2 lakh per kl mark. The previous peak was in 2022, when rates were hiked by Rs 1.1 lakh per kl after oil prices surged following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This is the second monthly increase in rates. Prices on March 1 were hiked by 5.7% (Rs 5,244.75 per kl).
The rising prices will further strain airlines, which are already burning more fuel due to longer routes and increased fuel consumption to reach western destinations because of airspace closures due to the war. Fuel accounts for around 40% of an airline's operating cost.
In addition, the rates of commercial LPG—used by hotels and restaurants—were raised by Rs 195.50 per 19-kg cylinder.
A 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder now costs Rs 2,078.50 in Delhi.
Rates were last increased by Rs 114.5 per 19-kg cylinder on March 1.
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.
State-owned Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum revise ATF and LPG prices on the first day of every month based on international benchmarks and the exchange rate.
Global oil prices have risen by almost 50% after the war in West Asia disrupted energy supply chains.
Petrol and diesel prices continue to remain frozen after a Rs 2 per-litre reduction in March last year; petrol currently costs Rs 94.72 per litre in Delhi and diesel Rs 87.62.
