New Delhi, March 2: Air travellers will soon know if they have to shell out more for flying. A day after P Chidambaram's Budget, which did not lower taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), oil PSUs have raised its price. Now, airlines are saying they will take a call on hiking the fuel surcharge - currently Rs 1,650 per ticket - next week.

After crude price touched record highs in international markets, price of ATF has been hiked - between Rs 2,542 and Rs 2,332 per kilolitre - in the four metros. However, this hike has come after two successive falls in January and February and airlines - which did not reduce surcharge then - may now find it difficult to raise the same. Even after this latest hike, price of ATF is lower than the record high of December in different cities.

"We will take a decision on surcharge next week. ATF prices fell in last two months and fuel surcharge wasn't reduced. So, now after this hike, should the same be hiked or not will be debated on Monday," SpiceJet spokesperson Ajay Jasra said. Jet Airways' Wolfgang Prock-Schauer said a decision would be taken on Monday.