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Government Fixes Jet Fuel Price For Airlines: What It Means For Your Next Flight Booking

The Centre has fixed the aviation turbine fuel, or ATF, benchmark at Rs 86.32 per litre for domestic operations under a Rs 10,000-crore stabilisation plan.

IndiGo suspends ops to 6 int'l destinations

IndiGo has announced the temporary suspension of flights to six international destinations as it adjusts its network amid softer travel demand and rising operational costs.The airline said the move is part of a broader network optimisation strategy aimed at matching capacity with current market conditions while maintaining operational efficiency.Which International Routes Has IndiGo Suspended?According to the airline, services to the following destinations will be temporarily suspended:Hong KongShanghaiHo Chi Minh CityLangkawiKrabiSiem ReapFlights to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Langkawi and Krabi will be suspended from July 1, while services to Siem Reap will be paused from July 3.Read more: HSBC says Asia's largest slum could soon have metro stations, green spaces & 125,000 new homesThe suspension is expected to remain in place until September 30.Why Has IndiGo Suspended These Flights?IndiGo said the decision was driven by a combination of softer seasonal demand and a challenging operating environment.The airline noted that the upcoming quarter typically witnesses lower travel demand, especially on certain international routes.At the same time, airlines continue to face increased operational expenses, making it necessary to review network deployment.In a statement, IndiGo said: "These measured changes are designed to align capacity with current market conditions and demand trends, while ensuring the airline maintains reliability and network integrity across its global destinations."Will IndiGo Restart These Routes?Yes. The airline has confirmed that bookings for all affected routes will reopen from October 1, subject to an improvement in market conditions.IndiGo also stated that it remains prepared to restore services earlier if demand improves and operational conditions become more favourable.Airspace Restrictions Continue To Affect AirlinesApart from rising costs, airlines are also dealing with continuing airspace restrictions that have impacted flight operations and route planning.Several carriers globally have been forced to adjust schedules, reroute aircraft and review international networks due to changing geopolitical and operational challenges.IndiGo said it will continue monitoring the situation closely before making further decisions regarding these routes.IndiGo Retains More Than 1,800 Weekly International FlightsDespite the temporary suspension of six destinations, IndiGo said its international network remains largely intact.The airline continues to operate more than 1,800 international flights every week across its global network.This allows the carrier to maintain strong international connectivity while adjusting capacity where demand is currently weaker.What Does This Mean For Travellers?Passengers planning trips to the affected destinations between July and September may need to consider alternative airlines or adjust their travel plans.However, travellers heading to other international destinations served by IndiGo are unlikely to see any major disruption, as the airline has retained the majority of its overseas operations.The move highlights how airlines are increasingly balancing demand, operating costs and network efficiency as global travel patterns continue to evolve.IndiGo Focuses On Network OptimisationThe temporary suspension reflects a broader trend in the aviation industry, where airlines are becoming more flexible in managing capacity.Rather than operating flights with lower demand, carriers are increasingly redeploying aircraft to stronger-performing routes and adjusting schedules based on market conditions.For IndiGo, the strategy is aimed at protecting profitability while ensuring reliable operations across its growing domestic and international network.Inputs from PTI

Cabinet clears ₹10,000-cr fund to shield airlines, offset jet fuel price swings

The one-time budgetary support of ₹10,000 crore will allow Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to provide Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) at stable prices to airlines.

'Much-needed support’: Air India on Centre’s ₹10,000-crore aviation fuel price relief package

The government has approved a ₹10,000-crore fund to help keep aviation fuel prices stable for airlines amid rising global fuel costs.

Cabinet approves Rs 10,000 cr breather for airlines

Drones hit Kuwait airport after Iran and US traded strikes; IndiGo issues advisory

In response to escalating regional tensions, IndiGo Airlines has suspended all its services to and from Kuwait, following a drone strike impacting the airport's passenger terminal. This closure of Kuwait's airspace has led to considerable disruptions for travelers.

United Airlines flight makes U-turn after 4-hours in air over suspicious Bluetooth device name

A United Airlines flight from Newark to Spain made an unexpected U-turn after a passenger's Bluetooth speaker, named "BOMB," triggered a security scare. The teenager responsible had reportedly forgotten about the name. Authorities evacuated the plane and inspected it thoroughly, causing significant delays and passenger concern.

ATF prices cut for international airlines, commercial LPG prices up by Rs 42

Public sector oil companies have reduced aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices for international flights by nearly 27%, providing relief to airlines and travelers. However, commercial LPG cylinder prices have seen an increase of Rs 42 due to volatile global energy costs and disrupted supply chains from West Asia.

ATF prices for international airlines slashed 27%

India’s domestic air traffic falls 4.2% in April amid weak demand and rising costs

Domestic air travel experienced a dip in April, with passenger numbers falling 4.2% from March and 3.47% year-on-year. Airlines faced headwinds from softer demand and rising costs, leading to network adjustments. IndiGo expanded its market share to 65%, while Air India Group saw a decline. Operational performance varied, with IndiGo leading on-time flights.

Air passenger traffic drops in April

New Delhi: Domestic air traffic declined 4.2 per cent to little over 1.38 crore in April compared to March amid multiple headwinds, including relatively softer travel demand.The latest data from aviation watchdog DGCA showed that carriers flew more than 1.38 crore passengers in April, 3.47 per cent lower than over 1.43 crore passengers carried in April last year.Also Read: Delhi airport, SpiceJet issue travel advisory: Bad weather likely to affect flight operationsThe decline is 4.2 per cent compared to the traffic of 1.44 crore passengers recorded in March."Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January - April 2026 were 575.49 lakhs as against 575.13 lakhs during the corresponding period of the previous year thereby registering an annual growth of 0.06 per cent and monthly growth of -3.47 per cent," DGCA said in its report for the month of April.Airlines have been facing multiple headwinds, including rising operational costs due to higher fuel prices and relatively slower demand.Amid the challenging scenario, carriers have also temporarily trimmed their network.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data showed that IndiGo's market share rose to 65 per cent in April from 63.3 per cent in March while that of Air India Group fell to 24.7 per cent from 26.2 per cent.The market share of Akasa Air inched up to 5.8 per cent last from 5.4 per cent in March and that of SpiceJet declined to 3.4 per cent from 3.8 per cent during the same period.Also Read: India's domestic air passenger traffic grows 1.4 pc to 1,677.4 lakh in FY26: ReportIn April, state-owned Alliance Air's share shrunk to 0.3 per cent from 0.6 per cent in March.A total of 3,266 passenger-related complaints were received by scheduled domestic airlines in April and the number of complaints per 10,000 passengers carried for the month stood at 2.36, as per DGCA.In terms of On-Time Performance (OTP) in April, IndiGo topped the list at 88.5 per cent, followed by Air India Group (82.4 per cent), Akasa Air (81.4 per cent), Alliance Air (71.2 per cent) and SpiceJet (31.2 per cent).OTP is computed for ten major airports -- Bangalore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Cochin, Guwahati and Lucknow.Last month, around 1.12 per cent of the flights were delayed by more than two hours.According to DGCA data, over 1.35 lakh passengers were affected by flight delays and airlines shelled out little over Rs 2.41 crore towards facilitation whereas 77,065 passengers were impacted by flight cancellations and in this regard, carriers paid Rs 2.04 crore towards compensation and facilities.A total of 641 passengers were denied boarding and the airlines shelled out Rs 57.65 lakh for compensation and facilities.

Thailand may get costlier for intl tourists

Thailand is considering increasing its long-planned foreign tourist entry fee beyond the proposed 300 baht as authorities review rising insurance and healthcare costs associated with international visitors. The proposal was announced by Surasak Phancharoenworakul, who said the fee, first proposed in 2020 but never implemented, may need to be revised upward to reflect inflation and higher insurance expenses, according to a report by Bangkok Post. The move comes a day after Thailand announced plans to shorten visa-free stays for travellers from 93 countries. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, most of the revenue generated from the fee would be used to provide insurance coverage for tourists, while the remainder would support the maintenance of tourist attractions and tourism-related infrastructure. Government reviewing collection methods Authorities are currently finalising how the fee would be collected without affecting traveller sentiment. One option under consideration is adding the charge to airline tickets. However, airlines have reportedly raised concerns because they would be unable to distinguish between Thai citizens and foreign passengers when collecting the fee. Another option is to collect the fee through the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC), which foreign visitors are required to complete before entering the country. Officials said the final fee amount will depend largely on projected insurance costs and medical treatment expenses at private hospitals. Visa policy changes The announcement comes as Thailand ends the current 60-day visa exemption for travellers from 93 countries and territories. Authorities are considering a return to shorter visa-free stays and visa-on-arrival arrangements similar to those in place before the recent expansion of visa privileges. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has also proposed adjustments for certain key markets. Indian travellers will qualify for visa-on-arrival facilities, and the ministry supports introducing a 15-day visa exemption for visitors from India.

Japan raises PR, residency fee caps

Japan has increased the maximum fees that foreign nationals may be charged for renewing or changing their residency status, with the new cap set at 100,000 yen ($630) for standard residency permits and 300,000 yen for permanent residency applications. according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The measure was approved by the Japanese parliament on Friday as the country prepares for a growing foreign resident population and plans new integration programmes. The previous upper limit for residency renewal or status-change fees was 10,000 yen. According to Japan's Immigration Services Agency, the revised fee structure reflects services provided to foreign residents. While the law sets the maximum amounts, the actual fees will be decided later through a cabinet order. Under the proposed structure, fees for standard residency permits will vary depending on the length of stay. A three-month residency period is expected to cost about 10,000 yen, while a five-year permit could cost around 70,000 yen. The current fee for in-person renewal applications is 6,000 yen regardless of the duration of stay. Additional revenue to fund integration measures The fee for permanent residency applications is expected to rise to about 200,000 yen. The government said reductions or exemptions will be available for applicants facing financial hardship, and the Immigration Services Agency plans to issue guidelines on eligibility for such relief. The higher fees could generate up to 90 billion yen in additional revenue. Japan's foreign resident population exceeded 4 million at the end of 2025, and the government said the funds will be used to strengthen measures that help foreign residents adapt to life in the country. Planned initiatives include expanding consultation services offered by local governments, improving Japanese-language education and supporting programmes that teach daily-life rules and customs. The government intends to introduce these educational programmes in phases beginning in fiscal 2028. The revenue will also help cover the costs of addressing illegal residency cases. Previously, fees collected were limited to covering administrative expenses such as personnel costs. Faster rollout of JESTA screening system The legal revisions also include changes affecting short-term visitors. Japan will introduce the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) as early as fiscal 2028, two years earlier than originally planned, as per Nikkei Asia report. Under the system, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to submit information online before departure, including their travel purpose, occupation and accommodation details. Authorities will use the information to screen travellers before arrival. Airlines will be required to deny boarding to passengers who do not obtain authorization. The government said the system is expected to help prevent illegal stays while simplifying immigration procedures and reducing waiting times at airports. The legislation faced opposition from the Constitutional Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party, which argued that the fee increases would place an excessive burden on foreign residents. However, the measure was passed by parliament and is set to take effect as Japan continues to adjust its immigration and residency policies amid rising foreign arrivals and residency numbers.

Iran war: PSBs asked to stay prepared

New Delhi: The Centre on Friday advised state-run banks to remain prepared and adaptable amid the West Asia crisis and evolving global situation. The guidance was issued during a meeting held by the Department of Financial Services under the finance ministry to review the performance of public sector banks (PSBs) in 2025-26.The ministry also launched the Common Landing Portal for Unclaimed Financial Assets to facilitate easier access to information relating to unclaimed financial assets."The discussions also underscored the need for public sector banks to adopt prudent expenditure and austerity measures at all levels while maintaining resilience amid evolving global uncertainties," the finance ministry said, adding that banks were also asked to provide proactive and need-based support to eligible borrowers under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0. The scheme is aimed at providing financial relief to businesses-particularly MSMEs, and airlines-to help them manage short-term liquidity mismatches caused by the West Asia crisis.PSBs were further told to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms with adequate oversight, improve operational efficiency and explore new business opportunities to sustain profitability and long-term growth, according to the statement."Deliberations also covered strengthening of digital banking ecosystems, enhancement of cyber security frameworks and initiatives for improving access to credit for MSMEs and other productive sectors of the economy," the ministry said. PSBs' aggregate net profit increased to the highest-ever level of about ₹1.98 lakh crore, and aggregate business reached around ₹283.3 lakh crore, as of March 31.In the statement, the ministry said that asset quality also remained robust, with gross non-performing assets reaching a historic low of 1.93% and net non-performing assets declining to 0.39%, reflecting continued strengthening of balance sheets and prudent risk management practices. "Progress under major financial inclusion initiatives, including Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, social security schemes, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PM Vishwakarma and digital lending initiatives, was also reviewed," the ministry said.

Red alert for airlines? Middle East war pushes global passenger demand down 3.4% in April

The West Asia conflict has severely impacted global aviation, causing a 3.4% drop in passenger demand in April due to soaring fuel prices and airspace disruptions. Middle East carriers saw a drastic 46.6% decline. Airlines are reducing flights and increasing fares as a result of these ongoing challenges.

Japan Airlines Bans Crew From Drinking During Layovers After Flight Delay Incident

The airline has suffered major alcohol-related controversies in the past.

Flight Operations Disrupted After Rain, Thunderstorm Hits Delhi; IndiGo Issues Advisory

Rain and thunderstorms in Delhi disrupt flights, Delhi Airport and airlines including IndiGo issue advisories, urge passengers to check flight status and use Delhi Metro

Delhi airport, airlines issue advisory as heavy rain disrupts flight ops

Weather in Delhi: In view of unfavourable weather conditions, the Delhi airport along with airlines have issued advisory for passangers.

Many airlines are not launching new routes due to surge in oil prices: BIAL MD and CEO

Aviation Body Issues Ebola Precaution Guidelines For Uganda, Congo Airlines

Ebola cases in African countries have increased in the past few days.