Indian air carriers raise fares by 10-15 pc

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Domestic air travel has become more expensive with air carriers increasing their base fares by 10-15 per cent to make up for the rising jet fuel prices.

Major airlines-- Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher-- have hiked their fares across three slabs.

Low cost carriers (LCC) such as Spicejet and Air Deccan have also announced an increase in fares, ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 500.

For major airlines, the minimum base fares for distance up to 750 km would be Rs 1,000.

For distance between 750-1,000 km, the minimum fare will be Rs 2,250.

Flying beyond 1,000 km, the base fare will be Rs 3,000.

Air Deccan said its minimum base fare will be Rs 500 for distance below 750 km, Rs 1,500 for distance between 750-1,000 km, and Rs 2,000 for distance over 1,000 km.

The airlines are expected to incur a loss of Rs 8,000 crore during 2008-09 on account of rising jet fuel prices which were increased by 18.5 per cent last month.

UNI YJ PDT RN1823