Bengaluru Airport User Fee Stays High: AERA Extends Steep Charges Till March 2026

• Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) allowed Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to continue existing user development fee (UDF) rates until March 31, 2026.
• Domestic passengers will pay Rs 550 and international passengers Rs 1,500; lower tariffs proposed for Jan-Mar 2026 will not be implemented.
• Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) requested the extension citing significant capital expenditure for expansion to 80 MPPA and under-recovery of aeronautical revenue.
• AERA approved the extension to offset revenue gaps and potentially moderate future charges, despite criticism from regular air passengers.
• Passengers express disappointment, arguing against high UDF given the airport's growth in volumes and non-aeronautical revenue.

Why It Matters: Bengaluru airport passengers will continue paying high user fees until March 2026, as AERA approved BIAL's request.