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<p><em>Good news for air travellers! </em>The Maharashtra government has announced a reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by over 60 per cent amid rising operational costs due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Devendra Fadnavis's government has slashed the VAT rate from 18 per cent to 7 per cent, which is expected to provide relief to airlines and travellers, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X. The reduction has come into effect from Friday, May 15.</p>
<h2><strong>Maharashtra cuts ATF VAT from 18% to 7%</strong></h2>
<p>"One of the important expenditures in the aviation industry is the VAT on ATF that is levied by state governments. Ministry of Civil Aviation has been engaging with State governments to reduce this VAT since some time, and specifically during the crisis times. I am thankful to State Govt of Maharashtra and @Dev_Fadnavis ji, for rising to the occasion and notifying the reduction in VAT for ATF from 18% to 7% with effect from today," Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted. </p>
<blockquote><p dir="ltr" lang="en" xml:lang="en">Due to the West Asia crisis, the Indian aviation industry is facing certain issues like air space closures, uncertain operations, spike in ATF prices. During these times, under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji, the government of India has given multiple respites… <a href="https://t.co/Ayd671wWbq">pic.twitter.com/Ayd671wWbq</a></p>
<p>— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) <a href="https://twitter.com/RamMNK/status/2055208886714749012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></p></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><h2><strong>Centre thanks Devendra Fadnavis for ‘timely intervention’</strong></h2>
<p>Union Civil Aviation Minister Naidu thanked Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for the "timely intervention" and said the decision will help keep airfares under control at a time when global challenges are pushing up costs.</p>
<p>"Maharashtra State is having 16 operational airports and highest annual air traffic amongst the states, of around 75 million passengers, daily passengers of around 2 lakhs. This reduction in VAT will help the flight operations in all these airports, and benefit the large number of passengers, by keeping the airfares in check while the global challenges continue to push airfares upwards," he added. </p>
<h2><strong>West Asia crisis pushes up aviation fuel costs</strong></h2>
<p>Since the escalation of tensions in West Asia, the Indian aviation sector has been grappling with airspace closures, uncertain operations, and a sharp surge in crude oil (ATF) prices. ATF typically accounts for 30-40 per cent of an airline's operating costs, making it one of the largest expenses for airlines. Volatility in crude oil prices due to geopolitical risks is putting pressure on airlines' profit margins and fare structures.</p>
<h2><strong>Centre announces measures to support the aviation sector</strong></h2>
<p>The central government has already taken several measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis. Minister Naidu said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has capped ATF prices for domestic scheduled airports, reduced airport charges, and provided assistance through the Emergency Credit Connectivity Scheme.</p>
<p>However, VAT on ATF, which is levied by state governments, remains a significant cost component, and its rates vary widely across states, often ranging from 4 per cent to 30 per cent.</p>
<h2><strong>Maharashtra airports likely to gain competitiveness</strong></h2>
<p>The move is also expected to improve the competitiveness of Maharashtra airports, especially compared to airports in neighbouring states where VAT rates are lower.</p>
<p>The cuts come at a time when airlines are already under pressure due to rising costs and disruptions to international routes. Industry experts say such state-level interventions can provide immediate relief until the global situation stabilises. Naidu said the ministry is working with other states to encourage similar measures to support the aviation sector during this period of instability.</p>
<p><em>With ANI Inputs</em></p>


Good news for air travellers! The Maharashtra government has announced a reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by over 60 per cent amid rising operational costs due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Devendra Fadnavis's government has slashed the VAT rate from 18 per cent to 7 per cent, which is expected to provide relief to airlines and travellers, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X. The reduction has come into effect from Friday, May 15.Maharashtra cuts ATF VAT from 18% to 7%"One of the important expenditures in the aviation industry is the VAT on ATF that is levied by state governments. Ministry of Civil Aviation has been engaging with State governments to reduce this VAT since some time, and specifically during the crisis times. I am thankful to State Govt of Maharashtra and @Dev_Fadnavis ji, for rising to the occasion and notifying the reduction in VAT for ATF from 18% to 7% with effect from today," Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted. Due to the West Asia crisis, the Indian aviation industry is facing certain issues like air space closures, uncertain operations, spike in ATF prices. During these times, under the leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the government of India has given multiple respites… pic.twitter.com/Ayd671wWbq— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) May 15, 2026Centre thanks Devendra Fadnavis for ‘timely intervention’Union Civil Aviation Minister Naidu thanked Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for the "timely intervention" and said the decision will help keep airfares under control at a time when global challenges are pushing up costs."Maharashtra State is having 16 operational airports and highest annual air traffic amongst the states, of around 75 million passengers, daily passengers of around 2 lakhs. This reduction in VAT will help the flight operations in all these airports, and benefit the large number of passengers, by keeping the airfares in check while the global challenges continue to push airfares upwards," he added. West Asia crisis pushes up aviation fuel costsSince the escalation of tensions in West Asia, the Indian aviation sector has been grappling with airspace closures, uncertain operations, and a sharp surge in crude oil (ATF) prices. ATF typically accounts for 30-40 per cent of an airline's operating costs, making it one of the largest expenses for airlines. Volatility in crude oil prices due to geopolitical risks is putting pressure on airlines' profit margins and fare structures.Centre announces measures to support the aviation sectorThe central government has already taken several measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis. Minister Naidu said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has capped ATF prices for domestic scheduled airports, reduced airport charges, and provided assistance through the Emergency Credit Connectivity Scheme.However, VAT on ATF, which is levied by state governments, remains a significant cost component, and its rates vary widely across states, often ranging from 4 per cent to 30 per cent.Maharashtra airports likely to gain competitivenessThe move is also expected to improve the competitiveness of Maharashtra airports, especially compared to airports in neighbouring states where VAT rates are lower.The cuts come at a time when airlines are already under pressure due to rising costs and disruptions to international routes. Industry experts say such state-level interventions can provide immediate relief until the global situation stabilises. Naidu said the ministry is working with other states to encourage similar measures to support the aviation sector during this period of instability.With ANI Inputs

The Maharashtra government has reduced the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 18% to 7%, a move expected to provide relief to airlines and passengers amid rising operational costs due to the ongoing West Asia crisis.

Good news for air travellers! Maharashtra slashes aviation fuel tax; will airfares get cheaper?

Good news for air travellers! The Maharashtra government has announced a reduction in the value-added tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by over 60 per cent amid rising operational costs due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Devendra Fadnaviss government has slashed the VAT rate from 18 per cent to 7 per cent, which is expected to provide relief to airlines and travellers, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on X. The reduction has come into effect from Friday, May 15. Maharashtra cuts ATF VAT from 18% to 7% One of the important expenditures in the aviation industry is the VAT on ATF that is levied by state governments. Ministry of Civil Aviation has been engaging with State governments to reduce this VAT since some time, and specifically during the crisis times. I am thankful to State Govt of Maharashtra and @Dev_Fadnavis ji, for rising to the occasion and notifying the reduction in VAT for ATF from 18% to 7% with effect from today, Ram Mohan Naidu tweeted.  Due to the West Asia crisis, the Indian aviation industry is facing certain issues like air space closures, uncertain operations, spike in ATF prices. During these times, under the leadership of Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, the government of India has given multiple respites… pic.twitter.com/Ayd671wWbq — Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) May 15, 2026 Centre thanks Devendra Fadnavis for ‘timely intervention’ Union Civil Aviation Minister Naidu thanked Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis for the timely intervention and said the decision will help keep airfares under control at a time when global challenges are pushing up costs. Maharashtra State is having 16 operational airports and highest annual air traffic amongst the states, of around 75 million passengers, daily passengers of around 2 lakhs. This reduction in VAT will help the flight operations in all these airports, and benefit the large number of passengers, by keeping the airfares in check while the global challenges continue to push airfares upwards, he added.  West Asia crisis pushes up aviation fuel costs Since the escalation of tensions in West Asia, the Indian aviation sector has been grappling with airspace closures, uncertain operations, and a sharp surge in crude oil (ATF) prices. ATF typically accounts for 30-40 per cent of an airlines operating costs, making it one of the largest expenses for airlines. Volatility in crude oil prices due to geopolitical risks is putting pressure on airlines profit margins and fare structures. Centre announces measures to support the aviation sector The central government has already taken several measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis. Minister Naidu said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has capped ATF prices for domestic scheduled airports, reduced airport charges, and provided assistance through the Emergency Credit Connectivity Scheme. However, VAT on ATF, which is levied by state governments, remains a significant cost component, and its rates vary widely across states, often ranging from 4 per cent to 30 per cent. Maharashtra airports likely to gain competitiveness The move is also expected to improve the competitiveness of Maharashtra airports, especially compared to airports in neighbouring states where VAT rates are lower. The cuts come at a time when airlines are already under pressure due to rising costs and disruptions to international routes. Industry experts say such state-level interventions can provide immediate relief until the global situation stabilises. Naidu said the ministry is working with other states to encourage similar measures to support the aviation sector during this period of instability. With ANI Inputs