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UAE–India flight tickets to get costlier? New airline charges announced

For passengers travelling on the heavily trafficked UAE–India corridor, the new charges could gradually translate into higher ticket prices

Nida Sohail
Nida Sohail

15 March, 2026

UAE–India flight tickets to get costlier? New airline charges announced
Image credit: Getty Images

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Due to rising aviation fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions, Air India Group and IndiGo are implementing fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights, including the busy UAE-India routes. These surcharges, phased in starting mid-March 2026, will likely increase ticket prices for new bookings. The airlines cite significant operating cost increases as the reason for the additional charges.

Travellers flying between the UAE and India may soon face higher ticket prices after major Indian airlines announced new fuel surcharges following a sharp spike in aviation fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Air India Group and IndiGo, two of the largest carriers operating extensive routes between India and the Gulf, have begun introducing additional charges on domestic and international flights.

The airlines say the move is necessary to offset the steep rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF), one of the biggest expenses in airline operations.

For passengers travelling on the heavily trafficked UAE–India corridor, the new charges could gradually translate into higher ticket prices, especially for new bookings made in the coming weeks.

Read more-Crisis in the Middle East: Rising airfares, emergency visa rules you need to know about

The development comes at a time when aviation fuel prices have surged globally. Since early March 2026, ATF, which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of an airline’s operating costs, has seen a sharp escalation due to supply disruptions linked to geopolitical developments in the Gulf region.

Industry analysts note that airlines often pass part of these rising costs to passengers through surcharges or fare adjustments. With millions of travellers flying annually between cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah and Indian hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, the impact could be felt across one of the world’s busiest international travel corridors.

Air India announces phased fuel surcharge

Air India Group said on March 10 that it will implement a phased expansion of fuel surcharges across domestic and international routes.

The airline said the measure was necessitated by the sharp increase in jet fuel prices, which has significantly raised operating costs for carriers.

In India, the financial pressure is further compounded by high excise duty and value-added tax (VAT) on aviation fuel in major metro cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, magnifying the cost burden on airlines.

The airline said the surcharge will be implemented in three phases and will apply to travel on all flights, including those operated by Air India Express.

Phase 1 (For all new bookings made from 0001 hours India Standard Time on March 12, 2026):

RegionCurrent fuel surchargeIncrease in fuel surchargeRevised fuel surcharge
Domestic IndiaNot appliedINR399INR399
SAARCNot appliedINR399INR399
West Asia / Middle EastNot applied$10$10
Southeast Asia2$40$20$60
Africa$60$30$90

Fuel surcharge is currently not applied on flights to/from Singapore but shall apply from Phase 1

Phase 2 (for all new bookings made from 0001 hours India Standard Time on 18 March 2026):

RegionCurrent fuel surchargeIncrease in fuel surchargeRevised fuel surcharge
Europe$100$25$125
North America$150$50$200
Australia$150$50$200

Phase 3 will apply to and from Far East markets, namely Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, which will be announced in due course.

The airline clarified that bookings already made before the specified dates will not attract the new surcharge unless customers change their itinerary or travel dates, which would require recalculating the fare.

“Air India regrets the need to increase fuel surcharges in this manner but emphasises that it is necessitated by factors outside its control,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline added that without such surcharges, some flights might not be able to cover operating costs and could face cancellation.

IndiGo introduces fuel charge

Budget carrier IndiGo has also announced a new “fuel charge” that will apply to both domestic and international routes from March 14, the official statement posted on the airline’s X account said.

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The airline said the decision was prompted by a steep surge in jet fuel prices linked to ongoing geopolitical issues in the Middle East.

According to the International Air Transport Association’s jet fuel monitor, prices in the region have increased by more than 85 per cent.

“Aviation Turbine Fuel represents a significant share of airlines’ operating cost. This sudden and steep increase will have a material impact on all airlines’ costs and network, including IndiGo’s,” the airline said.

While the airline acknowledged that fully offsetting the cost surge would require a substantial fare increase, it said the fuel charge introduced was comparatively smaller to reduce the burden on customers.

Starting March 14, 2026, 00:01 hrs, overall prices for all new bookings on IndiGo flights will include the following additional Fuel Charge, per sector.

RoutesFuel charge (INR)
Within domestic indiaINR425
Indian subcontinentINR425
Middle EastINR900
South East Asia and ChinaINR1800
AfricaINR1800
EuropeINR2300

“IndiGo regrets the inconvenience resulting from this additional charge and reiterates that the measure has been driven by a sudden and substantial change in the operating environment,” the airline said.

The airline added that it will continue monitoring the situation and adjust charges when appropriate while maintaining its commitment to affordable and convenient travel.

Impact on UAE–India travel

With both full-service and low-cost airlines introducing fuel surcharges, ticket prices on routes between the UAE and India could face upward pressure in the coming weeks.

Flights between the two countries are among the busiest international connections globally, driven by tourism, business travel and the large Indian expatriate population in the Gulf.

As airlines adjust to volatile fuel prices, passengers booking upcoming travel may notice slightly higher fares, particularly for last-minute bookings or peak travel periods.

For now, airlines say the surcharges will be reviewed periodically depending on how fuel prices evolve, leaving open the possibility that fares could stabilise, or rise further, if fuel costs remain elevated.

Elon Musk says Tesla’s mega AI chip ‘Terafab’ project to launch in 7 days

Tesla is designing its fifth-generation AI chip to power its autonomous ambition

Reuters
Reuters

14 March, 2026

Elon Musk says Tesla’s mega AI chip ‘Terafab’ project to launch in 7 days

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Elon Musk announced Tesla's "Terafab" project for manufacturing AI chips will launch in seven days. This initiative addresses Tesla's growing demand for AI chips to power autonomous driving, exceeding current supplier capacity. Tesla may partner with Intel but currently collaborates with TSMC and Samsung. Musk previously suggested Tesla might need a massive chip fab to meet production needs.

Tesla Elon Musk said on Saturday that the company’s Terafab project to make artificial intelligence chips will launch in seven days.

Musk had said last year that Tesla probably will have to build “a gigantic chip fab” to make artificial intelligence chips.

Tesla is designing its fifth-generation AI chip to power its autonomous ambitions, and Musk at the company’s annual meeting last year laid out potential manufacturing plans.

Musk had said at the time that the EV maker could work with Intel and said, “You know, maybe we’ll, we’ll do something with Intel.”

“We haven’t signed any deal, but it’s probably worth having discussions with Intel,” he had said.

Tesla did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking more details about the project.

Musk has teased the AI5 chip before and reiterated that Tesla was also partnering with Taiwan’s TSMC and South Korea’s Samsung. The AI chips power Tesla’s autonomous driving systems, including the Full Self-Driving software.

“Even when we extrapolate the best-case scenario for chip production from our suppliers, it’s still not enough,” Musk said last year, at Tesla’s AGM.

“So I think we may have to do a Tesla terafab. It’s like giga but way bigger. I can’t see any other way to get to the volume of chips that we’re looking for. So I think we’re probably going to have to build a gigantic chip fab. It’s got to be done,” he said.

​​Fujairah contains fire incident following drone interception

A fire caused by debris from an intercepted drone was contained in Fujairah on Saturday, authorities confirmed, with no injuries reported.

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

14 March, 2026

​​Fujairah contains fire incident following drone interception

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A fire broke out in Fujairah, UAE, caused by debris from an intercepted drone. Civil defense teams contained the blaze, with no injuries reported. Authorities confirmed the fire stemmed from the interception, not a direct drone strike, and emergency teams remain on site for precautionary measures.

Authorities say debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire in the UAE emirate of Fujairah on Saturday, which has since been contained with no injuries reported.

In a statement, the Fujairah Media Office said the fire occurred after debris from the intercepted drone landed in the area.

Civil defence teams responded quickly to the scene and were able to contain the fire, authorities said.

No injuries have been reported.

Emergency and civil defence teams remain on site to ensure the situation is fully under control and to carry out precautionary measures.

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F1 set to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix — reports

Next month’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Formula 1 races are set to be called off due to the Middle East conflict, with a formal decision expected within days

Gareth van Zyl
Gareth van Zyl

14 March, 2026

F1 set to cancel Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix — reports
Image: Getty Images

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Due to the Middle East conflict, Formula 1 is reportedly cancelling the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April. Logistical deadlines and safety concerns drive the decision, potentially costing over £100m. The cancellation reduces the season to 22 races, creating a five-week gap after the Japanese Grand Prix. Alternative venues were considered, but logistical constraints make replacements unlikely.

Formula 1 is set to cancel next month’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix amid the current conflict in the Middle East, according to multiple media reports.

The two races, which were scheduled for April, are expected to be formally called off before the end of the weekend, although organisers had not yet issued an official announcement at the time of writing.

According to the BBC, the Bahrain Grand Prix in Manama was scheduled for April 12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah the following weekend. If cancelled, the move would reduce the 2026 Formula 1 season to 22 races instead of the planned 24.

Sources cited by Reuters said the decision was effectively inevitable given the operational deadlines facing the sport. Freight required for the events must begin shipping soon, with March 20 seen as a key logistical cut-off date.

“With no sign of the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran coming to a conclusion, holding the races would put personnel at too great a risk,” the BBC reported, citing individuals familiar with the situation.

Sky Sports also reported that the races — originally scheduled for April 10–12 in Bahrain and April 17–19 in Saudi Arabia — were likely to be called off this weekend due to the ongoing conflict.

The cancellation would have a financial impact on the sport.

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are understood to pay some of the highest hosting fees on the Formula 1 calendar, and the BBC reported that the commercial hit could exceed £100m, with losses shared between the teams and Formula 1’s commercial rights holder.

Alternative venues have reportedly been briefly considered, including Portimão in Portugal, Imola in Italy, and Istanbul Park in Turkey, circuits that hosted races during the disrupted 2020 Covid-19 season. However, there may not be enough time to stage replacement events, particularly given the logistical and financial constraints.

If confirmed, the cancellations would create a five-week gap in the calendar between the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 and the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.

Despite the disruption, the rest of the Formula 1 season is expected to proceed as planned after the extended break.

Dubai issues new law governing violations, penalties, administrative measures

Violations will be classified into three categories, minor, moderate and serious, to guide the level of administrative penalty imposed

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

13 March, 2026

Dubai issues new law governing violations, penalties, administrative measures
Image: Dubai Media Office/ For illustrative purposes

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Dubai's Law No. (6) of 2026, issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, regulates administrative violations, penalties, and enforcement. It establishes a framework for government entities, classifying violations into minor, moderate, and serious categories. The law outlines administrative measures like warnings, closures, and license modifications, ensuring proportionality and transparency. It also sets procedures for publishing violations and prioritizes fairness and accountability.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued Law No (6) of 2026, regulating administrative violations, penalties and enforcement procedures in the emirate.

The law establishes a legal framework governing how government entities impose administrative violations and penalties under Dubai’s legislation.

Under the law, administrative violations must be clearly defined in legislation issued by the relevant authority.

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New Dubai law sets procedures for publishing administrative violations

Violations will be classified into three categories, minor, moderate and serious, to guide the level of administrative penalty imposed.

The legislation also outlines rules governing administrative measures to ensure proportionality and transparency.

Authorities must consider factors such as the seriousness of the violation, its impact on public services and the public interest, whether the offence was repeated or intentional, and any corrective action taken by the offender.

Government entities may impose several administrative measures, including warnings, temporary closure of an establishment for up to six months, permanent closure, cancellation or modification of licences and permits, or the suspension of related projects or activities.

The law also sets procedures for publishing administrative violations.

Authorities must obtain approval from their director general and coordinate in advance with the Government of Dubai Media Office before making violations public.

Implementation decisions will be issued by the chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. Any provisions in other laws that conflict with the new legislation will be annulled.

The law aims to promote transparency, fairness and accountability while ensuring public services continue without disruption.

It takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Saudi Aramco says claims it is in talks with Ukrainian firms for drones are “inaccurate”

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Aramco was in talks with at least two Ukrainian companies to buy interceptor drones

Reuters
Reuters

13 March, 2026

Saudi Aramco says claims it is in talks with Ukrainian firms for drones are “inaccurate”

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Aramco denies reports it's in talks with Ukrainian companies to buy interceptor drones for oilfield defense. This follows a Wall Street Journal report and amid heightened regional tensions, including Iranian threats to energy infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz. Aramco refuted the claims as inaccurate in a statement to Reuters.

Saudi oil giant Aramco said on Thursday that claims it is in discussions with Ukrainian companies to buy interceptor drones are inaccurate, after a report said it was seeking them to defend its oilfields against aerial attacks.

Iran has responded to the US-Israeli assault against it by targeting energy and other facilities across the region and effectively shuttering the Strait of Hormuz oil transit point, through which a fifth of the world’s oil flows.

“Aramco is aware of recent media reports regarding the company being in discussions with Ukrainian companies regarding the procurement of interceptor drones. These claims are inaccurate,” Aramco told Reuters in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that Aramco was in talks with at least two Ukrainian companies to buy interceptor drones to safeguard its oilfields.

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