Domestic flights to cost more

Domestic flights to cost more

Bangalore Mirror Bureau
Posted On Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 01:06:09 AM

Starting next Friday, the flight charges will be a bit dear. The Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) will be charging Rs 260 as User Development Fee (UDF) from air passengers from Jan 16. With Union Ministry of Civil Aviation permitting BIA to charge Rs 260 as UDF for domestic outbound passengers, the commuters will have to cough up UDF from Jan 16 irrespective of the date of booking or purchase of ticket. The UDF receipt can be obtained at the counters located before the departure hall of the terminal building. Till now, only international passengers were levied a UDF of Rs 1,070.

A revenue stream
“The decision to charge UDF was made more than seven months before, after we began commercial operations. UDF is a crucial revenue stream for us and although we have not been allowed to charge the amount we requested for, this is a beginning. The presently approved UDF is an ad-hoc UDF. The final UDF will be decided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation after further reviews or by the regulatory body, who will be appointed by Government of India soon,” said Albert Brunner, CEO, BIAL.

A BIAL spokesperson said that UDF is classified as an aeronautical revenue source, used for the development, management, maintenance and operation of the airport and is charged only to embarking passengers.