Slashed UDF: Bangalore International Airport Ltd may meet AERA officials

Bengaluru: The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), which operates the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), is still studying the revised User Development Fee (UDF) suggested by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).

On August 31, AERA announced that they have slashed the UDF, and that tickets issued on or after September 16 will have Rs 400 as UDF for international departure passengers and Rs 100 for domestic passengers. After April 1, 2019, the international passengers will have to pay Rs 558 and domestic passengers Rs 139. After April 1, 2020, the international departure passengers should pay a UDF of Rs 716 and domestic passengers Rs 179.

BIAL officials told the media recently that the reduced UDF will affect the airport’s expansion project. A senior BIAL official told Deccan Chronicle, “We are still studying the report. We will decide if we can discuss with AERA about the revised UDF fares, as it will impact the projects. But for now, we will first go through the fares and see what can be done. If we are asked to implement the new UDF, we are ready to do so. Senior officials will decide whether to meet AERA or write to them.”