The New Fee Structure Explained
Starting September 1, 2026, the User Development Fee (UDF) for passengers flying out of Bengaluru will see a significant reduction. For domestic departures, the fee will be cut from ₹550 to ₹300, a drop of 45.5%. International flyers will also benefit,
with the departure UDF falling from ₹1,500 to ₹997, a 33.5% reduction. However, the new tariff structure introduces a UDF for arriving passengers for the first time. Those landing on a domestic flight will be charged ₹125, while international arrivals will pay a fee of ₹426. These new rates will apply to all tickets issued on or after September 1 for travel from that date.
What is the Net Impact on Your Wallet?
While the introduction of an arrival fee may seem like a new expense, the overall cost for a round trip originating from Bengaluru is set to decrease. For a domestic passenger flying out of and returning to Bengaluru, the total UDF will now be ₹425 (₹300 for departure + ₹125 for arrival), which is less than the previous one-way departure fee of ₹550. Similarly, for international travellers, the combined UDF for a round trip will be ₹1,423 (₹997 for departure + ₹426 for arrival), slightly lower than the old departure-only fee of ₹1,500. The most significant savings are for passengers flying one-way from Bengaluru, who will pay ₹250 less on domestic flights and ₹503 less on international flights.
Why The Change in Fees?
The fee adjustment is part of a new five-year tariff plan approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA). This body is responsible for regulating tariffs and charges for aeronautical services at major airports. The new structure implements a passenger-friendly framework where costs for major infrastructure projects are recovered only after they are completed and operational. This prevents passengers from paying for facilities that are not yet available for use. The decision to split the UDF between arriving and departing passengers aligns Bengaluru's airport with the model used at other major Indian airports. According to AERA, keeping the domestic UDF low aims to make air travel more affordable, supporting the growth of domestic aviation, which accounts for about 84% of the airport's traffic.
A Look at Future Charges
The current fee structure is slated to remain in place until August 2029. After this period, the tariff may be modified based on the completion of several high-value expansion projects at the airport, including Phase 2 of Terminal 2. AERA has approved a mechanism to add small, incremental charges to the UDF as these new facilities are commissioned. For instance, the completion of the Eastern Connectivity Tunnel and new apron could trigger additional UDFs starting around August 2029, and the T2 Phase 2 terminal could lead to further adjustments from May 2030. However, these future charges are contingent on the projects being finished and put into service, a change from the previous system where costs could be passed on to passengers earlier.
