Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have been increased again from December, with oil marketing companies raising rates by an average of Rs 5,113.75 per kilolitre. This marks the third straight monthly hike and adds fresh cost pressure for Indian carriers, where fuel accounts for nearly 40 per cent of operating expenses.

With the latest revision, ATF is now priced at Rs 99,676.77 per kilolitre in Delhi, Rs 1,02,371.02 per kilolitre in Kolkata, Rs 93,281.04 per kilolitre in Mumbai, and Rs 1,03,301.80 per kilolitre in Chennai.

The upward trend has persisted over the past three months. In November, ATF prices rose by about 1 per cent, after a Rs 777 per kilolitre increase that pushed the Delhi benchmark to Rs 94,543.02 per kilolitre. In October, prices were raised by Rs 3,052.5 per kilolitre, or 3.3 per cent. Before this, rates had been cut by 1.4 per cent on September 1.

State-run oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd — revise prices of ATF and LPG on the first day of every month, based on global benchmark rates and currency movements.

Meanwhile, retail petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged. The last adjustment came in mid-March last year, when prices were cut by Rs 2 per litre ahead of the general elections