Relief for domestic flyers as regulator rejects Delhi Airport’s proposal for hike in charges for domestic flyers
Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) hasn’t allowed Delhi Airport to increase charges on domestic departing passengers from Rs 129 for the period of 2024-2029.
The GMR group-owned airport had sought higher User Development Fee (UDF) ranging from from Rs405 to Rs 610 depending on peak hours and non-peak hours. UDF is a fee levied by operators to recover the expense they have incurred upgrading infrastructure at airports.
A Parliamentary Affairs Committee had earlier expressed their dissatisfaction over “arbitrary” rise in user development fees (UDF) and ticket prices, arguing that the existing framework lacks mechanisms to hold private operators accountable.
However the regulator has allowed an increase for charges for international passengers and that of landing and parking charges for airlines. Economy class international departures, UDF will increase from the current Rs 129 to Rs 650 per passenger. Business class international departures will see a sharper hike, rising from Rs 129 to Rs 810. Passengers arriving on domestic flights to Delhi will have to pay Rs 56.
“AERA has decided to keep the UDF for domestic passengers unchanged at the existing rate of Rs 129 per departing domestic passenger, which will remain constant throughout the Fourth Control Period. The UDF for international passengers has been rationalized, with a differential rate for economy and business class travellers. The decision to not change the prevailing UDF for domestic air passengers which comprise 80% of the total air traffic of