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 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:

The proposal from GMR for international travellers was:

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.

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.

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