Summary of this article
AERA fixes passenger UDF for Noida airport’s 2026-27 operations
Domestic departures to pay Rs 490 as airport development fee
International departing passengers to pay Rs 980 UDF charge
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has announced user development fees (UDFs) for passengers travelling to Noida International Airport for the 2026-27 tariff period. The airport is set to open for commercial flights on June 15, 2026, with the fees kicking in from this date.
For departing passengers, the UDF has been set at Rs 490 for domestic travel and Rs 980 for international travel. For arriving passengers, it will be Rs 210 for domestic and Rs 420 for international travellers. These charges will be added to airline tickets or collected as part of airport charges.
Why These Charges Are Levied
The user development fee is a charge collected from passengers to help recover the cost of developing and operating airport infrastructure. It is not an airline fee but is passed through airlines to the airport operator.
In the case of Noida International Airport, the fee is meant to support investment in construction, terminals, runways and passenger facilities. Airports typically require large capital investment at the initial stage, and UDF is one of the ways to recover these costs over time.
AERA uses a regulatory framework to ensure that such charges remain balanced. It evaluates proposals from airport operators and compares them with national benchmarks before finalising the rates.
Approved Rates Lower Than Operator Proposal
The airport operator had proposed higher charges, including Rs 653 for domestic departures and Rs 1,200 for international departures. AERA approved lower rates after review, setting Rs 490 and Rs 980 respectively for departing passengers.
The regulator said the final UDF is in line with charges at major airports and remains within the range seen at non-major airports across the country.
Variable Tariff Plan To Support Early Growth
Along with fixed UDF rates, AERA has also approved a variable tariff plan for the airport. This mainly applies to landing and parking charges for airlines.
The aim is to encourage airlines to start new routes and increase flight frequency during the early phase of operations. This is expected to help the airport build traffic and expand connectivity in its initial years.
Once operational, the UDF will be included in passenger ticket pricing depending on travel type and direction of journey.
FAQs
What is the user development fee (UDF)
The UDF is a charge collected from passengers by airport authority to recover infrastructure and operational costs. It is usually added to the ticket fare.How much UDF will passengers have to pay at Noida International Airport?
Domestic departing passengers will pay Rs 490, while international departing passengers will pay Rs 980. Domestic arrivals will pay Rs 210 and international arrivals Rs 420.Why are international passengers charged more?
International passengers are generally charged higher airport fees because international operations involve additional infrastructure, security and processing requirements.When will these charges come into effect?
The charges will apply once Noida International Airport begins commercial operations on June 15, 2026.Are these charges included in ticket fares?
Yes. These charges are usually added to the flight ticket fares by the airlines at the time of booking.
