NEW DELHI: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices were increased by Re 1 per kg on Saturday, marking the third hike in less than 10 days amid rising global energy prices linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.With the latest revision coming into effect immediately, CNG in Delhi will now cost Rs 81.09 per kg. Prices in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad have risen to Rs 89.70 per kg, while Gurugram will see CNG priced at Rs 86.12 per kg.The latest hike follows a Rs 2 per kg increase announced on May 15 and another Re 1 per kg hike on May 17. With the latest revision, CNG prices in Delhi climbed to Rs 80.09 per kg, breaching the Rs 80-mark for the first time.

Revised rates of CNG in major cities

The fresh revision comes even as petrol and diesel prices were also increased again on Saturday, marking the third hike in less than 10 days.Petrol prices were raised by up to 87 paise per litre, while diesel prices increased by as much as 91 paise per litre across major cities.In Delhi, petrol now costs Rs 99.51 per litre, up from Rs 98.64, while diesel prices rose from Rs 91.58 to Rs 92.49 per litre.The consecutive hikes in CNG, petrol and diesel prices come amid mounting pressure on global energy markets due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and continued disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas trade passes.Global crude oil prices, which were hovering around $70–72 per barrel before the conflict, surged past $120 at one stage and are currently trading in the $104–110 range. India’s crude oil basket has averaged nearly $113–114 per barrel in recent months, compared to around $69 per barrel in February.India imports nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil requirements, making domestic fuel prices highly sensitive to international market movements.The back-to-back hikes in CNG, petrol and diesel prices are expected to increase transportation costs for private vehicle owners, cab drivers and commuters who depend on CNG as a relatively affordable fuel option.Meanwhile, commercial vehicle operators and taxi unions continued their protest across Delhi-NCR against rising fuel prices and stagnant fares.Transport bodies, including the All India Motor Transport Congress and Chalak Shakti Union, have demanded a rollback of recent fuel hikes, withdrawal of CNG surcharge and a revision in taxi fares, warning that mounting operational costs are severely impacting drivers’ livelihoods.Also read: Petrol, diesel prices hiked third time, sees increase by around 90 paise — check rates in your city

British Airways is putting up the price of reward tickets for customers using Avios, giving five days’ notice of the increases.

The cash element of tickets booked through its loyalty scheme will rise by up to 33 per cent from Wednesday 27 May.

For example, a ticket in Club World from London Heathrow to New York JFK, once requiring 176,000 Avios, will now also require £499 – an increase of roughly £100, or about 25 per cent.

In an email, the airline said the amount of Avios required for bookings will remain unchanged for now. “Thank you for your continued support and understanding,” it said.

Customers have until Wednesday to book at current prices.

Writing on his Head for Points frequent-flyer website, Rob Burgess said: “This is the second devaluation in just five months. The earlier changes led to a 10 per cent increase in the Avios element and 3-23 per cent increase in the cash element.

“This change only impacts the cash element and represents an additional 10-33 per cent

“These changes are very likely to be linked to the increase in fuel costs due to the Middle East crisis, although British Airways has better hedging in place than most carriers. With little sign of the oil situation improving, however, it is likely that fuel costs will remain high beyond the life of the hedges.”

Simon Calder, travel correspondent at The Independent, said: “When British Airways first unveiled ‘Air Miles’, flights were genuinely free – no one was expected to hand over cash.

“To see the cash element increased up to £500 will prove a deterrent for some. But many passengers, especially those who amass Avios on their company’s spend, remain transactionally loyal to BA.”

In April, IAG – which owns British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia of Spain – said it was increasing the price of ordinary cash tickets because of the impact of the conflict.

“We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy which gives some shorter term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact,” it said. “Like other carriers, IAG airlines are making some pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs.”

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