- By Shubham Bajpai
- Sat, 29 Mar 2025 12:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has increased its user development fees (UDF) for passengers travelling abroad. The hike will make it costly to travel abroad after the revised rates implementation from April 16.
The revised rates were approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). However, the UDF for domestic passengers is kept unchanged at Rs 129 as, reportedly, they make up 80 per cent of IGIS's total traffic.
Revised rates for international passengers
Under the new fee structure approved by AERA, international economy class passengers will have to pay Rs 650 for embarking and Rs 275 for arrival at IGI Airport.
The UDF for business class passengers is fixed at Rs 810 for departure and Rs 345 for arrival. Notably, UDF is a charge levied by the airports for developmental purposes. It acts as a revenue enhancing measure that is needed to bridge any revenue shortfall so that the airport operator is able to get a fair rate of return on investment
Moreover, the landing charges will be imposed based on aircraft type, like wide-body and narrow-body planes, for both domestic and international travellers.
ALSO READ: India Rolls Out 'Operation Brahma' For Myanmar: First Relief Shipment Lands In Yangon | WATCH
What AERA said about price hike?
Notably, IGI had proposed a 730 per cent hike in the prevailing charges, but AERA denied the proposed rise. AERA conducted a thorough analysis and regulatory scrutiny and settled at a lower increase of 140 per cent.
The price adjustment will help the airport operator to meet essential expenditures, operational efficiency, and quality of service.
AERA has justified the hike in UDF charges, stating that it is as per the 'user pays' principle. Regarding landing and parking charges, the regulatory body said that the rates have been adjusted in accordance with the charges levied at the international airports.