Sustained upward momentum across international energy markets has prompted domestic petroleum marketing companies to introduce fresh price hikes for aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and commercial liquefied petroleum gas cylinders. Under the price revisions effective Sunday, jet fuel prices rose by Rs 1.37 per litre. With this adjustment, the price of ATF in Delhi increased from Rs 137.12 per litre to Rs 138.50 per litre, marking the fourth consecutive monthly revision that has driven fuel procurement costs higher for domestic carriers.
Aviation Sector Faces Mounting Operational Cost Pressures
This unbroken string of fuel price increases places significant financial strain on airlines operating across the country. Prior to the November revision, oil companies had implemented a sharp hike of Rs 16 per litre on October 1. That followed increases of Rs 6.28 per litre in September and Rs 5 per litre in August. Jet fuel represents an enormous chunk of an airline company's balance sheet, accounting for approximately 40 percent of total operating expenditure. With four straight months of price additions, carrier overheads are experiencing sustained upward pressure that compounds ongoing financial commitments.
Commercial LPG Cylinders Witness Third Consecutive Monthly Hike
The latest fuel adjustments also extended to commercial kitchen and hospitality fuel supplies. State-run oil marketing companies raised the price of the 19 kg commercial LPG cylinder by Rs 10, bringing its retail price in Delhi to Rs 2820. This marks the third straight month of rising costs for commercial cylinder users. Previously, commercial gas prices saw an increase of Rs 62.50 per cylinder in October and Rs 9.50 in September. These consecutive increases followed a relief window earlier in the year, when prices were slashed by Rs 192 in August and Rs 183.50 in July.
Historical Highs In Commercial Cylinder Pricing
Commercial cylinder pricing has seen considerable volatility throughout the year following global energy swings. In June, severe supply disruptions alongside international price spikes pushed 19 kg cylinder prices to historic highs. Between February and June, cumulative increases totalled Rs 1373 per cylinder, lifting the price from Rs 1740.50 all the way to a peak of Rs 3113.50. While subsequent mid-year cuts provided temporary respite, the current round of consecutive increases has steadily pushed costs higher once again.
Domestic Consumers Sparing Direct Blow As Petrol And Diesel Hold Steady
Amid the cost escalation for aviation and hospitality fuels, residential consumers and motorists were spared immediate price shocks. The retail rate for the standard 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder was kept unchanged at Rs 942. Alongside domestic cooking gas stability, pump prices for petrol and diesel were also left untouched, preventing wider immediate inflationary ripple effects across everyday personal commuting and freight transit.
