New Delhi, 26 March (H.S.):

Ongoing conflict in West Asia threatens to severely disrupt air travel as airlines grapple with soaring costs. The US-Israel tensions with Iran have driven global jet fuel, or aviation turbine fuel (ATF), prices up by more than 100 percent over the past month, forcing carriers to consider hiking fares.

Struggling under the fuel price

surge, Indian airlines have urged the central government to slash airport charges. They warn that without relief on landing and parking fees, ticket prices may need to double to stay afloat.

From February through now, jet fuel has seen a dramatic rally. It traded at 95.90 dollars per barrel internationally on February 20, but has now spiked to 197 dollars per barrel - more than doubling in just a month.

The global surge is rippling into Indian markets too. Oil marketing companies (OMCs) may announce another big ATF price hike in April to align with international rates and avoid heavy losses, further inflating airline operating costs already under pressure.

Worried about rising expenses, carriers have asked for cuts in airport landing and parking charges, plus tax relief to offset the fuel shock. But experts doubt much will change since most major airports are run by private firms unlikely to offer concessions.

Industry insiders note jet fuel accounts for about 40 percent of any airline's total operating costs, so spikes naturally erode profits. The West Asia war has international flights taking longer detours too.

With Gulf airspace closures in several countries, planes must fly circuitous routes, burning extra fuel and jacking up expenses. Unless airport fees and taxes ease up, airlines say fare hikes are inevitable.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar