Petrol prices in the country have increased in recent years. It is often said that driving a car is no less than flying an airplane. However, this is not entirely true because flying an airplane consumes a lot of fuel, the cost of which is very high. However, aviation fuel is cheaper than the petrol used in your car.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is the fuel used to fly airplanes and helicopters. It is only used in jet-engine aircraft and helicopters. It may look like regular petrol or diesel, or it may be colorless, but its chemical composition and properties are quite different. It is essentially a kerosene-based fuel, which is refined to meet the needs of jet engines. Compounds are added to it to prevent it from freezing at high altitudes and low temperatures and to maintain stable combustion in the engine.
In terms of the price of jet fuel, it is currently cheaper than petrol. The price of jet fuel from Indian Oil is around Rs 92 per liter in Delhi, around Rs 95.16 per liter in Kolkata, and Rs 86 per liter in Mumbai. In comparison, the price of petrol in Delhi is Rs 94.77 per liter, Rs 103.50 per liter in Mumbai, and Rs 105.41 per liter in Kolkata.
The main reason for the difference in the price of jet fuel and petrol is the way taxes are levied on them. Just as taxes are levied on petrol and diesel, both the central and state governments also impose taxes on ATF, but the rate of VAT (Value Added Tax) varies in each state, so its price also varies. The central government levies excise duty on ATF, while the state government levies VAT. The rate of ATF varies in many states. However, it attracts less tax compared to petrol, so even if the price is high, ATF is cheaper for aircraft. Less tax is levied to reduce the expenses of airlines.