Pune's Private Air Travel Hit by Soaring Fuel Costs
The cost of private air travel from Pune, including chopper rides to Mumbai and chartered flights to Delhi, has skyrocketed by 30-40% in April, a month poet T.S. Eliot famously termed "the cruellest month." This sharp increase is directly attributed to a record-high surge in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, driven by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Record Fuel Prices Squeeze Operators
Ishwarchandra Gulgule, managing director of Kaigu Aviation, revealed to TOI that hiring a chopper to Mumbai now costs nearly Rs 5.5 lakh, excluding 18% GST, up from Rs 3.5-4 lakh previously. The ATF price for non-scheduled and chartered operations in Mumbai more than doubled this month, jumping from Rs 90,451.87 per kilolitre to Rs 1,94,968.67 per kilolitre.
This fuel price hike has led to a noticeable decline in the customer base for operators. Gulgule explained, "Most regular customers continue using choppers, but a slow dip is emerging. Alarmingly, new customers are not coming forward. We receive 10-12 queries daily, but these are not converting into bookings."
Multiple Factors Amplify Fare Increases
Beyond the fuel crisis, the inauguration of the Navi Mumbai International Airport has extended aerial travel time between Pune and Mumbai from 45 minutes to an hour on choppers, initially raising fares. The West Asia conflict-induced ATF price spike further exacerbated costs. Average weekly chopper movements between the two cities range from 25-30, primarily serving politicians, businessmen, and entrepreneurs.
Similar price hikes affect other routes, including Pune-Solapur, Pune-Kolhapur, and Pune-Sambhajinagar, with fares and increases comparable across these sectors.
Charter Flights Also See Sharp Cost Rise
A representative from another aviation company highlighted that charter flight expenses have surged sharply. For instance, a one-way trip from Pune to Delhi now costs around Rs 14 lakh, excluding GST, up from Rs 10 lakh earlier. Similarly, Pune to Bengaluru flights have risen from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 8 lakh or more per trip.
The overall cost for both chartered flights and choppers depends on the aircraft model and ground handling charges, but the fuel price remains a critical factor. Gulgule expressed uncertainty about the business direction, stating, "At this moment, we don't know in which direction the business is heading."
As ATF prices continue to climb, private air travel from Pune faces significant challenges, impacting both operators and their clientele in this high-stakes market.
