Planning to fly internationally from Delhi airport? Expect a major 500% UDF fee hike

In a major update, passengers flying internationally from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) will have to pay a significant fee in User Development Fees (UDF) from April 16, 2025. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved a huge 500% fee hike for international flyers, which will impact both departure and arrival fees.
On this note, let’s have a look at some important facts:
Effect on airlines and passengers: The UDF hike will affect airlines, with differentiated landing charges based on aircraft type. Wide-body aircraft, typically used for long-haul international flights, will be charged higher than narrow-body planes. As a result, airlines may pass these costs onto passengers, potentially increasing ticket prices.
Won’t affect domestic travellers: Until now, both domestic and international passengers used to pay the same UDF. But now AERA has decided to leave domestic fees unchanged, as 80% of IGIA’s traffic is domestic. Domestic flyers will continue to pay INR 129 for departure and INR 56 for arrival. But international passengers will face significant charges starting April 16.
Revised UDF for international passengers: International passengers will experience a major price hike in UDF. Economy class passengers will now pay INR 650 for departure and INR 275 for arrival, amounting to INR 925 more per round trip. Business class flyers will face even higher charges: INR 810 for departure and INR 345 for arrival, leading to an additional INR 1,155 per round trip.
Proposal and negotiations: Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), which manages IGIA, initially proposed a huge 730% hike in UDF to cover infrastructure upgrades and maintenance costs. After discussions, AERA settled on a 140% hike, still a significant rise but much lower than the original proposal.

Justification behind the hike: AERA justifies the fee increase by adhering to the ‘user pays’ principle. This means business class passengers, who enjoy premium services, will bear higher charges. Additionally, the fee hike aims to generate funds for enhancing infrastructure and improving airport services, ultimately providing a better travel experience.
Alternatives for budget passengers: With higher UDF charges, budget-conscious international flyers may consider alternatives to IGIA, such as airports in Mumbai, Bengaluru, or nearby international hubs like Dubai and Bangkok.
While the fee hike may be painful in the short term, the hope is that it will eventually contribute to a world-class airport experience at Delhi Airport.

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