Flying from Delhi to get cheaper from January 1

It’s good news for passengers flying out of Delhi in the New Year as they will have to pay marginally less for their tickets from January 1.

It’s good news for passengers flying out of Delhi in the New Year as they will have to pay marginally less for their tickets from January 1.

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The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has halved the Airport Development Fee (ADF) from Rs. 200 to Rs. 100 for domestic passengers departing from Delhi and from Rs. 1,300 to Rs. 600 for outbound international flyers.

Civil aviation minister Ajit Singh directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on October 16 to infuse additional equity at Delhi and Mumbai Airports to abolish the airport development fee.

AERA has allowed Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) — the private operator of the Delhi airport — to collect ADF up to April 2016 — 26 months more than the earlier deadline of February 2014 for the higher rates.

However, AERA has not clarified if passengers who have already booked their tickets and have paid the older and higher ADF rates would get a refund of the difference amount.

The partial relief given by AERA to people flying out of Delhi airport — termed by IATA as one of the most expensive in the world— is a far cry from the reduction and cost sought by aviation minister Ajit Singh.

“The authority will review, inter alia, monthly billing of the development fee on the basis of audited figures provided by the AAI and DIAL,” the order said.