Following reports that Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) have received approval from Airport Economic Regulatory Authority to charge passengers with a user development fee, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has asked AERA  to allow a similar levy at the new Kolkata and Chennai airports once they become operational in the coming months. The proposal calls for a fee of Rs 400 and Rs 900 on both arriving and departing domestic and international passengers, respectively.

A senior AAI official said, “Chennai airport, built at a cost of Rs 2,100 crore, is ready and may be operational by June. Kolkata airport would be ready at a cost of Rs 2,350 crore by June and will be operational by October. We are seeking UDF of up to Rs 900 for both arriving and departing passengers but not for those transiting like Delhi.”

Airlines serving Mumbai and Delhi airports have recently threatened to pull their flights to surrounding cities in light of the user development fees taking effect from 1 May. Bangalore and Hyderabad airports both charge a similar fee since the opening of their new terminals.