CHENNAI: Domestic airfares from the Chennai Airport have increased sharply from April 1 (Wednesday), with the Chennai–Thoothukudi airfare nearly doubling.
The fare hike comes after crude oil prices surged globally due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, leading to a more than twofold increase in aviation fuel prices. The Union government has also relaxed earlier restrictions on airlines, increasing ticket fares.
Airfares have risen significantly today, compared to January rates.
The minimum fare on the Chennai-Thoothukudi route has increased from Rs 3,608 to Rs 6,503.
Chennai-Madurai fares have gone up from Rs 3,129 to Rs 5,467.
Chennai-Tiruchy has risen from Rs 3,608 to Rs 4,521.
Chennai- Coimbatore has gone up from Rs 4,351 to Rs 4,966.
Chennai-Delhi fares have increased from Rs 5,933 to Rs 6,496
Chennai- Mumbai from Rs 3,356 to Rs 4,020
Chennai-Kolkata from Rs 5,293 to Rs 6,047.
The increase has been more pronounced on intra-state routes within Tamil Nadu, while fares for flights to other states have seen comparatively moderate hikes.
Airlines said the fare increase on Tamil Nadu routes is due to flights operating with fewer passengers, leading to losses, whereas flights to other states have higher passenger volumes, reducing the need for steep fare hikes.
Passengers who had already booked tickets at earlier rates have been asked to pay the additional fare online before collecting boarding passes.