The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has granted approval for an ad-hoc User Development Fee (UDF) at the upcoming Navi Mumbai airport. Passengers departing from this new airport, expected to open later this year, will be required to pay a UDF starting from the 2025-26 financial year.
Charges for Domestic and International Travel
As per AERA’s order, domestic passengers flying out will pay ₹620, while international travellers will be charged ₹1,225. These rates are applicable only for departing passengers. For those arriving at the airport, the UDF will be ₹270 for domestic and ₹525 for international flights.
Temporary Arrangement Until Final Tariff
The UDF has been approved as a temporary, ad-hoc measure and will be in effect until March 31, 2026, or until the regular tariff is finalised — whichever comes earlier. This interim measure allows the Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL), the entity developing the airport, to begin collecting revenue once operations commence.
Revenue to Be Adjusted Later
According to AERA’s 42-page order, the revenue generated through this ad-hoc UDF will be considered during the final tariff determination. This ensures that passengers are not overcharged in the long run and that any excess collection is accounted for properly.
Preparing for Operations in 2025
The Navi Mumbai International Airport is one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and is expected to handle a significant chunk of air traffic in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. With the UDF in place, the airport takes one more step towards being operational, offering passengers modern amenities — albeit at an extra cost.
Bottom Line
The introduction of the UDF at Navi Mumbai airport is a standard regulatory move that balances airport development funding with user charges. Passengers planning to fly from or to this new facility in 2025 should factor these additional fees into their travel budgets.
