Prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and commercial LPG were reduced on Monday, bringing partial relief to airlines and businesses, though domestic cooking gas rates remain steady.Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices were cut by 1.4 per cent on Monday, while commercial LPG cylinders became cheaper by Rs 51.50, reflecting a decline in global benchmark rates, PTI reported.According to state-owned fuel retailers, jet fuel in the national capital was cut by Rs 1,308.41 per kilolitre, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 90,713.52 per kl. This comes after two consecutive monthly hikes since July, which together raised ATF prices by Rs 8,949.38 per kl in line with spurt in international oil rates triggered by geopolitical tensions and trade wars.Fuel accounts for nearly 40 per cent of operating costs for airlines, and the cut is expected to ease some of the pressure, though carriers did not immediately comment on the move. In Mumbai, ATF was priced at Rs 84,832.83 per kl, down from Rs 86,077.14, while in Chennai and Kolkata prices were revised upward to Rs 94,151.96 and Rs 93,886.18 per kl, respectively. Rates vary across cities depending on local taxes like VAT.Alongside, the price of commercial LPG used in hotels and restaurants was reduced by Rs 51.50 per 19-kg cylinder, with the new rate in Delhi at Rs 1,580. This marks the sixth straight monthly cut since April, with cumulative reductions totalling Rs 223 per cylinder. Rates were last cut by Rs 33.50 on August 1.While oil prices remain volatile globally, benchmark LPG rates have softened because of subdued demand during summer months. Domestic LPG prices, however, remain unchanged at Rs 853 per 14.2-kg cylinder, after a Rs 50 hike in April.Public sector oil firms — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) — adjust ATF and cooking gas rates on the first day of every month based on international benchmarks and currency exchange rates.Petrol and diesel prices have been frozen since mid-March last year, when they were cut by Rs 2 a litre ahead of general elections. Petrol costs Rs 94.72 a litre in Delhi, while diesel is priced at Rs 87.62.
