‘Aviation sector on verge of stopping operations’: Airlines ask Centre for relief on jet fuel prices

Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the Union government that the country’s aviation sector is on the verge of “stopping operations”, and have sought a revision in aviation turbine fuel prices amid the conflict in West Asia, PTI reported on Tuesday.

“In order to survive, sustain and continue operation, we request your urgent intervention for immediate and meaningful financial support to tide over the current situation,” the Federation of Indian Airlines said in a letter on April 26. The federation represents the three airlines.

This came against the backdrop of the West Asia conflict, which began on February 28 and has disrupted energy supplies to India. The war has also pushed up global oil prices and led to airspace restrictions that have increased operating costs. Aviation turbine fuel accounts for about 40% of an airline’s operating expenses.

In its letter, the federation urged the civil aviation ministry to use a uniform fuel pricing system for domestic and international operations, NDTV reported.

“Any ad hoc pricing [domestic vs international] and/or irrational increase in the price of [aviation turbine fuel] will result in unsurmountable losses for airlines and will lead to grounding of aircraft, resulting in cancellation of flights,” PTI quoted the federation as saying.

The airlines have also sought that the excise duty on aviation turbine...

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