Key Takeaways
• From May 16, 2025, Mumbai Airport raises User Development Fee for all departing and arriving passengers on all ticket classes.
• Domestic round-trip flights cost ₹250 more; international economy and business class tickets increase by ₹875 and ₹999 respectively.
• Fee hike funds terminal upgrades, safety improvements, and passenger services under Airports Economic Regulatory Authority-approved investment plan.
From May 16, 2025, travelers using Mumbai Airport will face higher ticket prices. This is because of a sharp increase in the User Development Fee (UDF), a charge added to tickets for people traveling to or from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The change comes after the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) gave the green light for these adjustments. The aim is to use the extra money raised from these charges to pay for much-needed upgrades and expansion at Mumbai Airport.
Let’s break down what this means, what new fees travelers can expect, and the reasons behind these changes. We’ll also look at how this compares to other airports, and what it means for people who fly to or from Mumbai in the future.
What Are the New User Development Fees at Mumbai Airport?
The User Development Fee is an extra charge added to airplane tickets for people using Mumbai Airport. The money collected helps the airport make improvements, such as building better terminals and adding more services for passengers. The new rates, which take effect from May 16, 2025, are set out by the AERA.
There’s a difference in fees depending on whether you are traveling within India or internationally—and even by what type of ticket you have for international flights.
Here is what travelers will pay under the new rules:
For Domestic Flights
– If you are leaving Mumbai, the fee will be ₹175
– If you are arriving in Mumbai, the fee will be ₹75
For International Flights
– Economy Class passengers will pay ₹615 when leaving Mumbai and ₹260 when arriving
– Business Class travelers will pay ₹695 for departures and ₹304 for arrivals
It’s important to know that, before this change:
– Domestic travelers paid ₹120 only when leaving Mumbai; there was no fee for arrivals.
– International economy class departures were charged ₹187 (and nothing for arrivals).
– Business class had lower charges too, with no arrival fees.
For the first time, arriving passengers—both domestic and international—will have to pay a UDF. So, both your arrival and departure now add to your costs.
How Much More Will Travelers Pay?
The rise in the User Development Fee means everyone booking flights through Mumbai Airport will feel an impact, especially when buying tickets after May 16, 2025. Airlines normally pass these fees straight on to passengers by adding them to the ticket price.
- If you take a round-trip domestic flight with Mumbai in your travel route, your ticket will be ₹250 more expensive compared to before. That amount comes from ₹175 for departing and ₹75 for arriving.
- For international flights (economy class), a return ticket will go up by ₹875. That’s much higher than before, and this jump could matter a lot for families or those on tight budgets.
- Those traveling in international business class face a ₹999 increase on a return ticket. Higher ticket classes are being asked to pay more as part of the new fee structure.
These changes only affect flights booked from May 16, 2025 onwards. If you booked your trip before that date, the old fees apply—even if your actual flight happens later.
Why Is the UDF Increasing at Mumbai Airport?
Airports need to keep up with large numbers of travelers, new technology, and growing expectations for comfort and safety. Mumbai Airport is one of the busiest in India and often runs into space and crowding issues. The rapid growth in air travel means more people using the airport every year.
The main reason for the higher User Development Fee is to raise money for long-term investments in the airport. According to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, this extra money will help pay for:
– Building bigger and better terminal areas
– Improving check-in, baggage, and security zones
– Adding more services for passengers, such as lounges and new shops
– Making the airport safer and better equipped for emergencies
All these projects cost a lot of money, and the airport operator needs secure funding for the future. Raising the UDF ensures that the airport’s operator can plan, start, and finish these improvements.
How Did AERA Decide on These Fees?
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority is a government body in charge of making sure airport charges stay fair, both for passengers and the companies running airports. Sometimes, airport operators ask for big fee increases to cover their plans. When this happens, AERA looks at the requests, checks what upgrades are really needed, and makes its own judgment.
For Mumbai Airport, the operator initially wanted even bigger jumps in the User Development Fee. But after reviewing the real needs, AERA approved only a smaller increase and set a limit on how much the operator could spend. For example:
– The airport operator wanted to spend about ₹17,439 crore on upgrades over the next five years
– AERA cut this plan back, allowing only about ₹7,832 crore in spending for the same period
By trimming down these plans, AERA tried to balance keeping flying costs reasonable for travelers with the need to keep improving Mumbai Airport.
Who Pays What? How Is It Different Now?
A big change is that all travelers—whether arriving or departing, domestic or international—help share in the airport’s costs. Until now, only departing passengers usually paid the User Development Fee at Mumbai Airport. Arriving passengers did not.
The new structure is meant to:
– Make things more fair by spreading costs among everyone who uses the airport
– Reflect what happens at other large Indian airports, which also charge both arriving and departing passengers
– Ensure those who use more—such as business class travelers—contribute more, since their tickets absorb higher costs
AERA says this is a fairer system. Previously, only the people leaving Mumbai carried the full burden. Now, with more than one group helping to pay for upgrades, the financial load is lighter for each person compared to what fees might have been if only one group paid up.
How Does Mumbai Compare With Other Airports?
The idea of charging a User Development Fee for both arrivals and departures is not new in India. For example, airports in Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram also collect UDF from both incoming and outgoing passengers. For these and other airports, the money has been used for improvements that travelers see directly—like bigger spaces, faster check-in, better toilets, and safer runways.
By making this change, Mumbai Airport is now more in line with industry standards seen at other major Indian airports. AERA wants to avoid unfair differences in airport charges, which is why Mumbai’s UDF rules and fees are being brought up to date.
What Does It Mean for Airlines and Passengers?
For passengers, the higher User Development Fee means that air travel through Mumbai will get more expensive. Airlines have said they add these government-imposed fees directly into ticket prices. So, when comparing flight options, especially budget fares, you might notice that Mumbai-based flights cost more than similar flights to other cities where the UDF is lower.
- Frequent flyers—people who travel often for work or personal reasons—will feel the pinch more with repeated extra fees on every flight.
- Budget travelers and families, especially those flying internationally, will need to account for the increased cost in their travel plans.
- Business travelers (especially those flying business class internationally) face the highest jump in costs but also often rely on the added airport convenience and comfort their class offers.
For airlines, these fees do not affect company profits directly, since the UDF is passed on to the customer. However, higher prices could mean potential passengers who are very cost-sensitive might look for other options, like flying from nearby airports with lower fees.
How Do These Changes Affect Mumbai’s Role as a Travel Hub?
Mumbai is one of the main gateways for air travel in India, both for people flying within the country and those arriving from abroad on business or tourism. Its airport handles millions of travelers a year and is a crucial part of the country’s transport system.
- Improvements funded by the higher UDF could help Mumbai Airport serve more people comfortably, reduce wait times, and add new services that make travel easier.
- On the other hand, higher costs could make some travelers think twice, especially if other airports offer lower fees but nearly the same options and connections.
- Overall, the long-term hope is that better facilities will bring in more flights and travelers, offsetting the short-term pain of paying more.
VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that AERA’s decisions try to please both sides—keeping travel affordable while making sure Mumbai Airport does not fall behind other busy airports in quality and capacity.
What Should Passengers Do Now?
If you are planning to fly to or from Mumbai Airport after May 16, 2025, be prepared for your ticket price to be a little higher than what you might have paid before. Here are a few simple steps you might consider:
– Book early: If you can book your tickets before May 16 for travel after that date, you might avoid the new fees
– Check airline breakdowns: Make sure you review your ticket summary to see exactly how much is being charged for the User Development Fee
– Plan for extra costs: When working out your travel budget, factor in the extra charges as part of your spending
– Compare airports: If you have the choice, see if using a nearby airport fits your needs and costs less
For more official details about the User Development Fee and airport charges, you can visit the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India’s official website, which explains how the fees work and what upgrades are supported.
Looking Forward
The move to increase the User Development Fee at Mumbai Airport shows how airport travel is changing. With growing crowds, airports must find ways to keep up without letting safety or comfort slip. Charging fair fees and using that money to invest in terminals, runways, and checks ensures the airport remains up to standard.
While higher ticket prices are never welcome, many travelers will benefit in the long run from shorter lines, more seating, better food and shopping, and faster service at the airport. As Mumbai Airport moves to match the level of other leading airports in India, the higher User Development Fee will play a central role in making this possible.
By keeping all users in mind and making sure the fees are tied to what is being delivered, AERA’s new rules aim to build trust and fairness into how airports are funded. Mumbai and its travelers now face a period of change, but with clear plans and careful oversight, the road ahead is set for improvement—one ticket at a time.
Learn Today
User Development Fee (UDF) → A fee added to airline tickets at Mumbai Airport, used to fund expansions, upgrades, and passenger services.
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) → Indian government agency regulating airport fees to balance affordability and infrastructure development.
Business Class → Higher-tier airline seating offering more space and amenities, charged higher UDF compared to economy tickets.
Terminal Upgrade → Construction or improvement projects increasing airport terminal capacity, comfort, and efficiency for passengers.
Round-Trip → A flight itinerary that includes both departing from and returning to the original location, now subject to UDF on both legs.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting May 16, 2025, Mumbai Airport travelers will pay higher fees. The new User Development Fee applies to both arrivals and departures, increasing ticket prices for domestic and international flights. This revenue funds major airport upgrades, aiming to improve capacity and services as authorized by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Reconciliation Bill would raise immigration fees for asylum applications
• easyJet Turns Flight Into Eurovision Party at 35,000 Feet
• ICE Raids Kona Coffee Farms Targeting Kids and Workers
• Border Security Investment Act Slaps 37% Fee on Remittances
• REAL ID often comes with no extra fee compared to a standard license
