New Delhi, 01 August (H.S.): Government-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) on Saturday provided relief to commercial LPG consumers by reducing the price of 19-kilogram commercial LPG gas cylinders. However, in a move that may increase the financial burden on air travellers, the price of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, has been increased.

Apart from these two products, no changes have been made in the prices of other petroleum products. In the case of LPG, the price reduction applies only to commercial cylinders, while the rates of 14.2-kilogram domestic LPG cylinders used for household cooking remain unchanged.

On the first day of August, oil marketing companies reduced the price of 19-kilogram commercial LPG cylinders across the country. Following the reduction, commercial LPG cylinders have become cheaper by Rs. 192 to Rs. 209 in different states. The lowest reduction of Rs. 192 has been implemented in Delhi, while the highest cut of Rs. 209 has been announced in Kolkata.

According to oil marketing companies, after the price revision, a commercial LPG cylinder in Delhi is now Rs. 192 cheaper and will be available at Rs. 2,738 instead of Rs. 2,930. In Mumbai, the price has been reduced by Rs. 194, bringing the cost down to Rs. 2,691.50 from Rs. 2,885.50. In Kolkata, the price of a 19-kilogram commercial LPG cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 209, and it will now cost Rs. 2,872.50 instead of Rs. 3,081.50.

In Chennai, the price of a commercial LPG cylinder has been reduced by Rs. 200, bringing it down to Rs. 2,906 from Rs. 3,106. In the National Capital Region (NCR), a commercial LPG cylinder in Noida has become Rs. 192 cheaper and will now be available at Rs. 2,738 instead of Rs. 2,930. In Gurugram, the price has been reduced by Rs. 192.50, bringing it down to Rs. 2,755 from Rs. 2,947.50.

The reduction in commercial LPG prices will provide relief to businesses such as restaurants, roadside eateries, and catering service providers that use these cylinders for commercial purposes. However, the price cut has not been extended to domestic LPG cylinders used by households.

Meanwhile, oil marketing companies have increased the price of jet fuel or Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) by Rs. 5 per litre from Saturday. Following the hike, the price of jet fuel in New Delhi has increased from Rs. 110 per litre to Rs. 115 per litre. In terms of bulk rates, ATF prices have been revised from Rs. 1.10 lakh per kilolitre to Rs. 1.15 lakh per kilolitre.

The increase in jet fuel prices is expected to raise the operating costs of domestic airlines. ATF accounts for nearly 40 per cent of an airline's operating expenses, making it one of the biggest cost components for aviation companies. Any increase in fuel prices directly impacts airline expenditure and may eventually lead to a rise in airfares.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar