From Jan 16, BIAL will levy UDF on domestic travellers

Air travel out of Bangalore is set to become a wee bit costlier. From next Friday — January 16 — domestic passengers flying out of the city’s new Bangalore International Airport will have to shell out Rs 260 as user development fee (UDF).

The levy was approved by the ministry of civil aviation on Friday and will be charged over and above the ticket price by Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the company that operates the airport.

A statement issued by BIAL said, “All domestic departing passengers will pay the UDF starting January 16, irrespective of the date of booking or purchase of ticket.”

BIAL has received permission to charge a UDF seven months after it began operation. The company had submitted an application to the ministry to impose UDF of Rs 675 per passenger on domestic travelers, but the ministry has allowed a levy of Rs 260.

Albert Brunner, CEO, BIAL, said in a statement issued by the airport: “The 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, which will be appointed by the government of India soon.”

The GMR Group-operated Hyderabad International Airport levies a UDF of Rs 375 per passenger.

BIAL is already collecting UDF of Rs 1,070 per passenger from international travellers since it began operation.