From September 1, Passengers Will Have to Pay ₹300 at Bengaluru Airport

Domestic passengers flying from Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport will pay a significantly lower User Development Fee (UDF) from September 1, 2026, after the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) fixed the charge at ₹300 per departing passenger. The revised fee is 45% below the existing ₹550 charge and is also lower than the ₹450 proposed by Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL).

The reduction comes as AERA finalises the tariff framework for Bengaluru airport for the five-year control period running from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. The decision is expected to make air travel more affordable for domestic passengers while changing how future airport infrastructure costs are recovered from travellers.

Bengaluru airport passenger fee cut to ₹300

Under the revised tariff, departing domestic passengers will pay a UDF of ₹300 from September 1, compared with ₹550 currently. International passengers will also benefit from a lower charge, with the UDF reduced to ₹997 from ₹1,500.

The reduction is particularly relevant for Bengaluru because domestic passengers account for around 84% of the airport's total passenger traffic. The lower charge could therefore directly benefit a large portion of travellers using the airport.

Particulars	Existing	Revised from Sept 1
Domestic UDF	₹550	₹300
International UDF	₹1,500	₹997
Domestic reduction	-	45%
Tariff period	-	FY27-FY31

Why has AERA reduced Bengaluru airport charges?

AERA has adopted an incremental Average Revenue Requirement (ARR) framework for Bengaluru airport for the first time. Under this approach, passengers will not be charged for certain major infrastructure projects until those projects are completed, commissioned and available for use.

The regulator said this approach links tariff recovery more closely to the actual availability of airport infrastructure. It also aims to reduce the possibility of passengers and airlines paying for projects that are delayed, deferred or ultimately not executed.

Major Bengaluru airport projects affected

The new framework applies to major projects including the Eastern Cross Taxiway, T2 Phase 2 terminal and T2 Phase 2 apron. AERA said incremental tariff recovery related to these projects will begin only after the assets become operational.

These projects are expected to enter the tariff calculation from 2029-30. The change effectively shifts part of the cost-recovery timeline, meaning passengers are not required to immediately bear charges associated with infrastructure that is still under development.

International flyers also get lower UDF

International passengers departing from Bengaluru airport will see their UDF fall to ₹997, compared with the existing ₹1,500. The revised amount is also below BIAL's proposed charge of ₹1,215.

The reduction could support passenger demand and improve the overall cost competitiveness of flying from Bengaluru. However, the eventual impact on ticket prices will depend on how airlines and other airport charges are reflected in the final airfare paid by travellers.

AERA revises landing charges

Alongside the UDF changes, AERA has also revised landing charges for the new control period. The landing charge has been set at ₹442 per metric tonne for domestic flights and ₹652 per metric tonne for international flights.

AERA also considered a substantially lower baseline Average Revenue Requirement than the amount proposed by BIAL. The regulator's baseline ARR was ₹14,604.31 crore, compared with BIAL's proposed ₹41,398.93 crore.

What does the Bengaluru airport fee cut mean?

The reduction in UDF is expected to benefit domestic passengers most directly because of Bengaluru's large domestic traffic base. Lower airport charges could help contain the overall cost of air travel and support continued growth in passenger traffic.

For the airport operator, the revised framework places greater emphasis on completing major infrastructure projects before recovering their associated costs through tariffs. The approach could therefore create stronger incentives for timely project execution while reducing the risk of premature cost recovery from passengers.

Bengaluru airport charges from September 1

From September 1, 2026, departing domestic passengers at Bengaluru airport will pay ₹300 as UDF, down from ₹550. International passengers will pay ₹997, compared with ₹1,500 previously.

The new tariff structure will remain applicable within AERA's fourth control period through March 31, 2031, subject to the regulator's framework for recovering costs associated with future airport infrastructure.

What is the new Bengaluru airport UDF from September 1, 2026?

From September 1, 2026, the User Development Fee for departing domestic passengers at Bengaluru airport will be ₹300 per passenger.

Why has Bengaluru airport reduced its passenger fee?

The passenger fee has been revised by AERA as part of the new tariff structure for the 2026–31 control period, with the aim of keeping air travel more affordable while linking future infrastructure-related tariff recovery to completed projects.

How much is Bengaluru airport UDF for international passengers?

The new UDF for departing international passengers will be ₹997 per passenger from September 1, 2026, compared with the existing ₹1,500.

Will Bengaluru airport UDF apply to arriving passengers?

Yes. From September 1, 2026, arriving passengers will also be subject to a UDF. The charge will be ₹125 for domestic arrivals and ₹426 for international arrivals.

Will flight tickets from Bengaluru become cheaper after the UDF cut?

The lower UDF reduces one component of the overall cost of flying from Bengaluru, but it does not guarantee lower ticket prices. Airfares also depend on fuel costs, airline pricing, demand, taxes and other charges.

How much will domestic passengers save at Bengaluru airport?

The departing domestic UDF will fall from ₹550 to ₹300, resulting in a ₹250 reduction per departing passenger.

When will the new Bengaluru airport charges come into effect?

The revised UDF structure will come into effect from September 1, 2026, as part of the five-year tariff framework covering the period up to March 31, 2031.

What is UDF at Bengaluru airport?

UDF stands for User Development Fee. It is an airport charge collected from passengers to support approved airport costs and infrastructure-related requirements.

What are the new Bengaluru airport charges for domestic passengers?

From September 1, departing domestic passengers will pay a ₹300 UDF, while arriving domestic passengers will pay ₹125.

What are the new Bengaluru airport charges for international passengers?

Departing international passengers will pay ₹997, while arriving international passengers will pay ₹426 under the revised structure from September 1, 2026.

Will Bengaluru airport charges remain the same until 2031?

The current tariff framework covers the fourth control period from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031. However, specific charges may change based on the applicable regulatory framework and approved infrastructure-related adjustments.

Why are Bengaluru airport infrastructure projects linked to future charges?

AERA's incremental Average Revenue Requirement framework links recovery of certain infrastructure costs to the completion, commissioning and actual use of the relevant airport assets.

Which Bengaluru airport projects could affect future tariffs?

Major projects include the Eastern Cross Taxiway, T2 Phase 2 terminal and T2 Phase 2 apron. Incremental tariff recovery for these projects is expected after the relevant infrastructure is completed and put into use.

Will the Bengaluru airport UDF reduction benefit domestic aviation?

The lower UDF is intended to make air travel more affordable for passengers and support the growth of domestic aviation. Domestic travellers account for a large majority of Bengaluru airport's passenger traffic.