Government Approves Financial Aid for Airlines Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Cabinet Decision on ATF Price Support
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned a one-time financial assistance package not exceeding Rs 10,000 crore for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). This initiative aims to stabilize the prices of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for scheduled Indian airlines engaged in both domestic and international flights. The financial aid will be provided as interest-free loans to OMCs through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas's Demands for Grants.
This support is crucial for maintaining stable ATF pricing for airlines amid the current volatility in fuel prices, which has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. The decision comes in response to a significant increase in ATF prices, which have surged nearly 2.5 times, rising from Rs 60.5 per litre in March 2026 to Rs 142 per litre in May 2026.
