Bangladesh hikes jet fuel prices by 79 pc

DHAKA: Bangladesh hiked jet fuel prices by 79% on Tuesday as costs surge in the wake of the US–Israel war on Iran.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) order, the second this month, means aviation fuel prices have leapt by 111% since the start of the war, with the price now set at $1.32 per litre.

"We had to adjust the jet fuel price for the second time this month, considering the international fuel price rate, which has shot up," BERC chairman Jalal Ahmed said in a statement.

Millions of Bangladeshis work abroad, many in Middle Eastern nations, and the price rise has sparked worries of another cost to their aeroplane ticket.

"Migrant workers are already suffering due to an insufficient number of flights to Middle Eastern countries — because of the flight shortage and high demand for tickets, they are already paying hefty amounts for travel," said Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury Nomal, former general secretary of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, BAIRA.

"The rise in jet fuel prices will be another blow to an already affected sector."

The Aviation Operators Association of Bangladesh, AOAB, said there is no fuel shortage at present, as Bangladesh has secured jet fuel deliveries this month.

AOAB secretary general Md Mofizur Rahman said a pre-emptive hike was therefore 'unjustified'.

By RSS/AFP