Flying From Delhi Airport To Become Costlier Starting 1st December!

Flying from Delhi Airport may become costlier for travellers from December 1^st following a hike in the airport charges levied by authorities on airlines and passengers.

Delhi airport charges have been increased seven times to a flat Rs 77 for each departing domestic and international passenger, starting next month.

Currently, domestic flyers pay Rs 10 each for departing from the IGI airport while an international traveller has to shell out Rs 45 as User Development Fee (UDF).

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India has approved this hike after Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) put forward their point citing the current tariffs were below the base airport charge set out in the government agreement when Delhi Airport was privatised in 2006.

Apart from higher passenger charge, airport fuel concession fee has also increased by Rs 500/Kilo liter. Aircraft landing charges have also been increased by about 5%  which will increase the cost incurred to a carrier.

Airline officials have said that a 3-7% hike in airfares may be necessary to meet higher airport charges however, this is not confirmed.

While discussing the hike sought by DIAL, Federation of India, an umbrella organisation representing IndiGo, Jet Airways, SpiceJet and GoAir, told AERA that the application of basic airport charges would have an adverse impact on airlines and passengers.

The charges are expected to rise again as DIAL has capital expenditure plans between 2019 and 2024 control period. A new runway and taxiways will be built at the IGI airport, which has a capacity to handle 70 million passengers per year, apart from the expansion of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 buildings.

The Delhi airport tariff is up for renewal from April next year.