Intl air ticket prices likely to go down

FLYERS are set to get some relief from the exorbitant air fares levied on most international routes in the last four months ever since the West Asia crisis broke. The fuel surcharge cess, a crucial component of the air fare, has been reduced by the Air India from July 1.

- S LALITHA

The other airlines may follow suit soon as government directives mandate passing on the relief to the customers.

Crude oil prices dipped to less than $70 (₹6,666) per barrel on June 30, the lowest since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. It is reliably learnt that the Air India on Wednesday announced a reduction in its international fuel surcharge cess by 38% for its Europe and UK routes while it is down by 28.5% on the Australia and the North America routes. “The reduction will definitely be passed on to the customers. Even if it goes down by a small figure, it would be substantial savings for the public as even 10 per cent on a ticket fare of ₹1 lakh will work out to ₹10,000 for a flyer,” a source said.