Airlines on verge of shutting down: Aviation body seeks relief on fuel prices

Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have told the Union government that the country’s aviation sector is on the verge of “stopping operations”, and have sought a revision in aviation turbine fuel prices amid the conflict in West Asia, PTI reported on Tuesday.

“In order to survive, sustain and continue operation, we request your urgent intervention for immediate and meaningful financial support to tide over the current situation,” the Federation of Indian Airlines said in a letter on April 26. The federation represents the three airlines.

This came against the backdrop of the West Asia conflict, which began on February 28 and has disrupted energy supplies to India. The war has also pushed up global oil prices and led to airspace restrictions that have increased operating costs. ATF accounts for about 40% of an airline’s operating expenses.