Air travel to get costlier at Mumbai airport from May 16; details inside

Domestic and international travel from Mumbai airport will become expensive from next week as the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved variable User Development Fees (UDF) for economy and business class passengers. The UDF charges will be applicable for the tickets issued on or after May 16.

UDF charges for domestic passengers

AERA has kept the UDF for domestic passengers at Rs 175 per embarking (departure) passenger, while the disembarking (arrival) passenger will pay Rs 75. 

UDF charges for international passengers

With the revision, international economy-class passengers departing from Mumbai Airport will pay Rs 615 as UDF. For those landing, the fee will be Rs 260. Business class passengers will have to pay higher charges, with UDF set at Rs 695 for departure and Rs 304 for arrival.

Exemptions in payment of UDF charges

While domestic and international travellers are required to pay User Development Fees, the following categories of persons are exempt from paying and collecting UDF:
– Children (Under the age of 2 years)
– Holders of Diplomatic Passport
– Airlines Crew on duty, including sky marshals and airline crew on board from the particular flights only (this would not include Dead Head Crew, or ground personnel).
– Persons travelling on official duty on aircraft operated by the Indian Armed Forces.
– Persons travelling on official duty for United Nations Peace Keeping Missions.
– Transit/transfer passengers (this exemption may be granted to all the passengers transiting up to 24 hours. “A passenger is treated in transit only if onward travel journey is within 24 hours from arrival into airport and is part of the same ticket; in case 2 separate tickets are issued, it would not be treated as a transit passenger”).