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Travelers flying internationally from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will soon have to pay higher User Development Fees (UDF). Starting from April 16, 2025, the revised fees will be different for economy and business-class passengers. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved these changes to help maintain the airport's infrastructure and services. While international passengers will see a big increase in charges, domestic passengers will not be affected.
Increase in UDF for International Passengers
Under the new system, international economy-class passengers will pay ₹650 as departure UDF, which is a massive 404% increase from the current rate. They will also have to pay ₹275 when arriving at the airport. Business-class travelers will face an even bigger hike, with a departure UDF of ₹810 and an arrival fee of ₹345, marking a 528% rise.
This increase is a result of Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL)'s request for a higher airport charge. Initially, DIAL had asked for a 730% hike, but AERA approved a more moderate increase of 140%. According to AERA, these adjustments will help meet essential expenses for infrastructure development and keep airport services running efficiently.
No Change in UDF for Domestic Travelers
Unlike international passengers, domestic travelers will not see any change in UDF. The fee remains at ₹129 per departing passenger, as domestic flyers make up 80% of the airport's total traffic. At present, both domestic and international passengers pay the same UDF-₹129 for departures and ₹56 for arrivals. The new system introduces different charges for international passengers based on their travel class.
Why Are the Fees Different for Economy and Business Class?
AERA has introduced a separate UDF structure for economy and business-class passengers based on the "user pays" principle. Since premium travelers use better facilities, they will now pay higher fees.
Along with UDF changes, AERA has also revised landing and parking charges for aircraft:
- Wide-body aircraft: ₹564 for domestic flights, ₹785 for international flights
- Narrow-body aircraft: ₹347 for domestic flights, ₹570 for international flights
How These Changes Affect Travelers
The new UDF rates will be in effect from April 16, 2025, to March 31, 2029. While departing passengers will pay more, AERA has also considered costs for arriving travelers. The authority states that arriving passengers use airport facilities such as baggage handling, aerobridges, and travelators, justifying the new charges.
Delhi IGI Airport, operated by the GMR Group-led DIAL, is India's largest airport, handling millions of passengers. The revised UDF and other charges are aimed at maintaining airport services and infrastructure. While these changes will increase costs for international travelers, they are necessary to ensure a smooth and efficient airport experience. Passengers should be aware of these updates and plan their travel budgets accordingly.
