Domestic air travel is set to become costlier as the civil aviation ministry has raised the lower limit on fares by 13-16 per cent, according to an official order.

The ministry has also cut down the capacity for airlines to operate from 80 per cent to 50 per cent from next month.

Now, the lower limit for flights under 40 minutes of duration will be increased from Rs 2,300 to Rs 2,600 — a hike of 13 per cent. Similarly, flights with durations between 40 and 60 minutes will have a lower limit of Rs 3,300 instead of Rs 2,900, the order said.

The increase in airfares will come into effect from June 1, it said. The upper limits on fares remain unchanged.

The move is aimed at helping the airlines amid a devastating second wave of Covid-19 which has reduced air travel significantly.