The New Charges Explained
Starting September 1, 2026, the User Development Fee (UDF) for passengers departing from Bengaluru will be substantially reduced. For domestic travellers, the fee will drop by 45%, from the current ₹550 to ₹300. International flyers will also see a significant
reduction of over 33%, with their UDF falling from ₹1,500 to ₹997. This revision is part of a new five-year tariff plan approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA). A new feature of this tariff plan is the introduction of a UDF for arriving passengers for the first time. Domestic arrivals will be charged ₹125, and international arrivals will be charged ₹426. However, even with this new arrival fee, the total cost for a round trip is now lower.
How This Affects Your Total Ticket Price
The UDF is a component of the overall airfare, collected by airlines on behalf of the airport operator to fund infrastructure. A reduction in this fee means a direct drop in the final ticket price, making flights from Bengaluru more cost-effective. While the base fare set by the airline remains separate, this cut in airport charges provides tangible savings for every passenger. For a domestic passenger, the combined UDF for a round trip (departure and arrival) will now be ₹425, down from the previous ₹550 which was only on departure. Similarly, for international travellers, the combined UDF will be ₹1,423, a decrease from the earlier ₹1,500. This makes travelling from Bengaluru, a hub where domestic passengers account for about 84% of traffic, more affordable.
Why Are the Charges Being Reduced?
The decision to lower the UDF was made by AERA, the regulatory body that governs airport tariffs in India. The authority has introduced a new framework called the 'incremental Average Revenue Requirement' for Bengaluru's airport. In simple terms, this new policy ensures that passengers are not charged for major infrastructure projects—like new terminals or runways—until those facilities are fully built, commissioned, and available for use. This prevents travellers from paying in advance for projects that might be delayed. The regulator's goal is to strike a balance between allowing the airport to fund its expansion and keeping air travel affordable for the public.
How Long Will These New Rates Last?
The new tariff structure comes into effect on September 1, 2026, and is part of the fourth control period, which extends from April 2026 to March 2031. The initial set of reduced charges will be applicable until at least August 2029. After that, the fees might be modified as major expansion projects, such as Phase 2 of Terminal 2, are completed. AERA has even scheduled a further reduction in the baseline UDF from May 2030, though the final amount will depend on the status of ongoing infrastructure work. This structure provides travellers and airlines with a clear and predictable fee schedule for the next few years.
