The New Charges Explained
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) has approved a new tariff order that brings down the User Development Fee (UDF) for passengers. For those flying to domestic destinations, the departure UDF will drop from ₹550 to ₹300, a steep
reduction of about 45%. International travellers will see their departure UDF fall from ₹1,500 to ₹997, a saving of over 33%. However, the new structure also introduces a UDF for arriving passengers for the first time, set at ₹125 for domestic and ₹426 for international arrivals. Even with this addition, the total fee for a round trip is lower than before. For a domestic traveller, the combined departure and arrival fee is now ₹425, down from ₹550. For an international traveller, the new combined fee is ₹1,423, down from ₹1,500.
Your Savings in Real Terms
What does this mean for your travel budget? The savings can add up quickly, especially for those who fly often. A business traveller taking ten domestic return trips a year from Bengaluru will save ₹1,250 annually based on the new combined UDF. A family of four embarking on their annual international vacation will save just over ₹300 on their departure fees alone. These revised charges will automatically be reflected in the price of tickets for travel on or after September 1, 2026, so travellers don't need to take any action to benefit from the lower costs. The reduction makes flying from the city more affordable, a welcome development given that domestic travellers account for about 84% of the airport's total passenger traffic.
Why Are the Fees Changing Now?
This passenger-friendly move is part of a new regulatory approach by AERA for the airport's five-year tariff period, which runs from 2026 to 2031. For the first time, AERA has implemented an 'incremental revenue' framework. In simple terms, this means passengers will no longer be charged upfront for massive infrastructure projects that are still under construction. The costs for major future developments, like Phase 2 of Terminal 2, will only be factored into tariffs after they are completed and operational. This new model protects travellers from paying for facilities they cannot yet use and encourages the timely completion of airport expansion projects.
Boosting Bengaluru as a Travel Hub
Lowering the cost of travel does more than just help individual passengers. It also enhances Kempegowda International Airport's competitiveness as a major aviation hub. Reduced charges could encourage airlines to increase flight frequencies or launch new routes from Bengaluru, knowing that the overall ticket cost for passengers is lower. AERA has also rationalised landing charges for airlines, which can contribute to a more favourable operating environment for carriers. While airport charges are just one component of an airfare — with fuel prices being the largest factor — this reduction is a significant step towards making air travel more accessible and supporting the continued growth of domestic aviation.
