Flying from Mumbai Airport might be costlier from next fiscal year | Here's why!

Flying from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) is set to become more expensive starting next financial year, as the Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL) has proposed a significant hike in User Development Fees (UDF). International passengers will see their UDF rise from ₹187 to ₹650, while domestic passengers, who currently pay no UDF, will be charged ₹325.

The proposal, submitted to the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), aims to fund infrastructure upgrades and technological enhancements at the airport.

While passengers face higher costs, airlines will benefit from a proposed 35% reduction in landing and parking charges for the 2024-2029 period. MIAL claims this reduction "is expected to positively impact airfares from Mumbai, enabling airlines to manage costs more efficiently."

The airport operator plans to invest ₹10,000 crore over five years for infrastructure upgrades including a domestic-to-domestic transfer facility at Terminal 2, a new taxiway, eGates to manage congestion, and sustainability initiatives. MIAL expects to recover ₹7,600 crore from an estimated 229 million passengers during this period.

AERA has scheduled a stakeholders' meeting for March 25 in New Delhi before making its final determination on the proposal. The current passenger yield at Mumbai Airport is ₹285, with MIAL proposing an increase to approximately ₹332, representing an 18% rise.