The Biz Reporter
NEW DELHI: Flying to Srinagar will cost more from next month. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved a phase-wise increase in aeronautical charges and user development fees (UDF) from next month. The UDF paid by domestic departing passengers is currently Rs 394. This will become Rs 850 from October 1 to March 31, 2024; Rs 960 from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, and Rs 1,050 from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. (GST is currently charged at 18% on this cess). The UDF paid by international departing passengers will rise from Rs 787 to Rs 1,110 (18% GST extra) from next month and remain at this level till March 31, 2026, according to the AERA order.
Similarly aero charges have been hiked. While UDF is paid directly by flyers, aero charges are levied on airlines who accordingly decide airfares.
The state-run Airports Authority of India (AAI) had proposed higher increase in domestic UDF as almost 99% passenger traffic at Srinagar is of domestic flights. The AERA order says AAI had proposed hiking domestic UD from Rs 394 to 1,150 for this fiscal; Rs 1,680 for FY 25 and Rs 2,447 for FY 26. International UDF, on the other hand, was proposed to be hiked moderately from current Rs 787 in phases to Rs 1,400 in FY 26.
