Indian carrier IndiGo will raise its fuel surcharge on flights between India and Gulf countries, including the UAE, starting October 6, 2026. Under the new structure, a flat charge of INR 5,500 — roughly Dh215 — will apply per sector on these routes, up from the previous tiered charge of Dh115 to Dh191 depending on distance, which had been in place since April 2026. The change amounts to an increase of between roughly Dh19 and Dh95 depending on the route.
IndiGo attributed the hike to a sharp rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) costs following renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, saying ATF prices had climbed more than 14 per cent in recent months to their highest level in a decade. The airline noted that fuel prices in the region had risen by more than 85 per cent since the Middle East crisis began in February, squeezing airline margins across the board.
IndiGo said it implemented what it called "a measured and relatively modest adjustment" in an effort to limit the impact on passengers. Similar surcharge changes apply to other international routes: up to INR 3,000 for SAARC countries, INR 5,500 for Southeast and North and East Asia, INR 6,000 for Africa, and INR 10,000 for Europe. The adjustment is expected to push up ticket prices on UAE-India routes in the coming days, adding pressure on one of the busiest air corridors for expatriate travel and trade between the two countries.