New Delhi: Air travel is going to become costlier once again after the government announced a hike in the lower fare band on Friday. The original fair band was announced on May 25 last year after domestic flights were flagged off following a law crackdown. The government had set up lower and upper fare bands so that airlines could not overcharge for domestic flights.

Now, in a tweet about the increase in the lower fair band, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "Since the price of ATF (air turbine fuel) has increased steadily, it has been decided to increase the lower fair band by 5% keeping the upper fare band unchanged. When the daily passenger count reaches more than 3.5 lakh at least 3 times a month, we can open the sector for 100% operation."

According to the new fair band, fares for flights of less than 40 minutes are Rs 2,000 to 6,000, Rs 2,500 to 7,500 for a 40-60 minute flight, Rs 3,000 to 9,000 for a 60-90 minute flight, Rs 3,500 to Rs 10,000 for 90-120 minutes, Rs 4,500 to Rs 13,000 for 120-150 minutes, Rs 5,500 to Rs 15,700 for 150-180 minutes and Rs 6,500 to Rs 18,600 for 180-210 minutes.

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