SpiceJet raises base fares

New Delhi, June 3 (UNI) Low-cost carrier Spicejet today raised its base fares by Rs 300-550 in line with the increase in fuel surcharge by other airlines.

''We have increased base fares by Rs 300 for short-haul sectors, and by Rs 550 for long-haul,'' a SpiceJet official said, but added that the airline had not increased the surcharge on jet fuel.

However, Air India, Jet Airways-JetLite and Kingfisher-Deccan Aviation hiked surcharge by similar amounts to recover higher fuel cost of nearly 19 per cent effected by oil marketing companies from June 1.

After the raise, the fuel surcharge on short-hauls (below 750 km) has increased from Rs 1,950 to Rs 2,250 and on long-hauls (above 750 km) from Rs 2,350 to Rs 2,900.

IndiGo, GoAir and other airlines are also expected to follow suit.

Some airlines had even conveyed to Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel informally their inability to pass on the burden entirely to the passengers and were planning to either prune or rationalise their services.

SpiceJet has already cancelled the Chennai- Hyderabad and Bangalore-Kochi flights.

UNI YJ SR KP1902