GMR proposes nearly doubling UDF at Bhogapuram airport, drawing airline criticism

The proposal includes distance-based charges for domestic passengers and is the first of its kind in India.

By SafarSamachar Desk10 Nov 2026, 6:12 am IST

Illustration

Illustration: SafarSamachar Pix Desk, created with AI assistance. Not a photograph of the event.

Key facts at a glance

1GMR Airports proposes nearly doubling UDF at Bhogapuram airport over five years
2Distance-based UDF charges would be introduced for domestic passengers
3The proposal is before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA)
4In FY27, departing passengers would pay ₹1,000 on shorter routes and ₹1,230 on longer ones
5By FY31, departure fees would rise to ₹2,090 and ₹2,460 for domestic passengers

GMR Airports has proposed nearly doubling the User Development Fee (UDF) at Bhogapuram airport over the next five years, introducing distance-based charges for domestic passengers—the first such proposal in India.

The plan sits before the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA). For the first control period, FY27 to FY31, two categories of domestic passengers will face different fees. In FY27, shorter-route travelers would pay ₹1,000 and longer-route travelers ₹1,230; by FY31 those amounts are set to rise to ₹2,090 and ₹2,460.

GMR says the hike is needed to recover investment and financing costs. Airlines and experts warn that higher fees could make flying less affordable, reduce passenger demand, and push short-haul travelers onto trains.

Passenger groups have also decried the proposal as unfair; G.S. Bawa of the Air Travellers Association said passengers are already burdened by high airfares.

UDF is currently included in ticket prices and collected by airlines on behalf of airport operators. The proposal has drawn the ire of IndiGo, which operates flights from Bhogapuram airport.

What this means for Indian travellers

If you fly from Bhogapuram airport, watch for changes to your ticket price as the UDF proposal moves forward. The final decision will depend on approval by AERA and could affect domestic fares from FY27 onwards.

More details

When will the new UDF charges at Bhogapuram airport take effect?

The revised UDF charges at Bhogapuram will take effect from Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27).

Source: Mint

Sources

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