Business Class And Peak Hour Travellers May Have To Pay More, DIAL Proposes Different User Fees In Its Tariff Proposal

At a time when air travel in India is reportedly becoming more accessible, business class and peak-hour visitors may find the Delhi Airport more expensive while travelling from the country’s capital. The Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL), a group headed by the GMR Group, is responsible for running the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA). 

How Does This Change Affect Business Class Passengers?

The loss-making DIAL has suggested setting different User Development Fees (UDF) for business and economy class customers on foreign flights in its tariff proposal for the fourth control period, which runs from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2029.

The proposed UDF ranges from ₹430 to ₹810 for passengers travelling internationally in economy class and from ₹860 to ₹1,620 for those travelling in business class. As per the plan presented to the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), the proposed UDF is ₹810 for each economy class passenger for the first two years, 2025–2026 and 2026–2027, and Rs 430 for 2027–2028 and 2028–2029 after that.

The planned price for international travellers disembarking in economy class is ₹280 per person for the first two years of the 2025–2029 control period, and ₹150 for the last two years. The UDF recommended that business class passengers disembark for ₹570 per person in 2025–2026 and 2026–2027, and ₹300 per person in 2027–2028 and 2028–2029, respectively.

Also Read: 170 Flights Delayed, 38 Cancelled At Delhi Airport As Dense Fog Blankets North India

Proposed Changes During Peak Hours

Additionally, DIAL has attempted to charge various UDF for domestic passengers boarding and disembarking during peak and off-peak hours. According to DIAL, the suggested charge for domestic embarking flights varies from ₹315 to ₹610 per person during busy hours. The suggested price for domestic passengers disembarking during peak hours is between ₹115 and ₹210 per person.

Also Read: Scottish Hiker Detained At Delhi Airport For Carrying Banned Garmin Inreach GPS Device; Here’s Why It Is Banned In India

In this context, ‘peak hours’ refer to travel that takes place between 5:00 and 8:55 a.m. and between 17:00 and 20:55 p.m.

Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.