Class-based fee okayed for Delhi's international flyers

The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved a proposal from the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) for a class-based tariff structure for international passengers.

- DEEPAK PATEL

This means that business and first-class travellers will now have to pay a higher User Development Fee (UDF) than economy and premium economy passengers till 2028-29.

This is the first time that a class-based tariff has been imposed at any Indian airport.

AERA justified the decision, saying it is "natural" given the additional services business-class passengers receive, such as dedicated check-in lanes, security clearance, immigration, and boarding gates.

Till date, all international passengers departing from the Delhi airport paid ₹129 as UDF. From April 16, an international economy passenger will have to pay a UDF of ₹650 while an international business passenger would pay a UDF of ₹810, according to AERA's tariff order issued on Friday.

Meanwhile, AERA has refused to impose such a class-based tariff on domestic passengers.

The regulator has outright rejected GMR Group-led DIAL's proposal to charge passengers a higher UDF based on travel time.