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.
Higher UDF for flyers, lower fees for airlines
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.
