Delhi Airport had presented a proposal to significantly increase the airport’s charges for use, commonly called the User Development Fee. Their premise was that they are spending a lot of money on upgrading the airport. However, the regulator has shut them down and only partly approved their proposals. So travel will get expensive, albeit slightly.

Delhi Airport’s requests on elevated charging

Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) proposed to increase the fee to the AERA, the regulator that approves airport fees. Between 2025 and 2029, they want to increase the UDF for international business and first-class passengers and all domestic passengers travelling during the morning and evening peak hours. Travel between 05:00 and 08:55 a.m. and 05:00 and 08:55 p.m. is classified as ‘peak hours. ‘

The proposal from GMR for domestic travellers was:

• For Departing Passengers (Domestic)
  • For the next two years (2025-27), passengers will pay INR 405 UDF for flights scheduled to depart during off-peak hours and INR 210 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • Passengers pay INR 610 UDF during the peak hours (5-8:55 am/pm departures) for the next two years (2025-27) and INR 315 for the two years after that (2027-29).
• For Arriving Passengers (Domestic)
  • For the next two years (2025-27), passengers will pay INR 140 UDF for flights scheduled to arrive during off-peak hours and INR 80 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • Passengers pay INR 610 UDF during the peak hours (5-8:55 am/pm departures) for the next two years (2025-27) and INR 315 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • Note that no UDF has been charged for arrivals into Delhi Airport so far.

The proposal from GMR for international travellers was:

• For Departing Passengers (International):
  • For the next two years (2025-27), first, business and premium economy class passengers will pay INR 1620 UDF for international flights departing from DEL and INR 860 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • For the next two years (2025-27), economy class passengers will pay INR 810 UDF for international flights departing from DEL and INR 430 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • Note that there has been no differential fee charged by cabin class so far.
• For Arriving Passengers (International):
  • For the next two years (2025-27), first, business class and premium economy class passengers will pay INR 570 UDF for international flights arriving into DEL and INR 300 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • For the next two years (2025-27), economy class passengers will pay INR 280 UDF for international flights departing from DEL and INR 150 for the two years after that (2027-29).
  • Note that no UDF has been charged for arrivals into Delhi Airport so far.

Airport Economic Regulatory Authority Pares down GMR’s expectations

The AERA approved the UDF for Delhi Airport for the next four years, however, only partially. The new charges go into effect from April 16, 2025.

International passengers travelling in business and first class will have to pay marginally more than those in the economy and premium economy. International passengers in economy and premium economy will be charged a UDF of INR 650 for flying out from DEL and INR 275 for flying in (GST is extra). Those flying in business and first class will be charged INR 810 and INR 345 (GST extra) for flying out and in, respectively.

AERA said that from April 16 to March 31, 2029, domestic passengers departing and arriving in Delhi will pay a UDF of INR 129 for flying out and INR 56 for flying in (GST extra). Currently, the amount is INR 62 for both domestic and international passengers departing from the airport.

The regulator also did not approve the distinct charges for those flying out at peak hours from Delhi.

If you already have a ticket booked, you don’t have to worry, given in the past no one has been made to collect the charges again, but then, we can’t really say.

Bottomline

Flying out and flying into Delhi will be expensive, compared to now, effective April 16, 2025. New charges will be imposed on arriving at Delhi Airport, and flying out internationally will be much more expensive than right now. Premium cabins international travel will get even more expensive, but a sliver on the cost of the ticket.

What do you think of the changes coming to Delhi Airport’s UDF? Will it affect your travels?

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