Passengers travelling through Delhi and Mumbai airports may soon see a dramatic rise in user fees following a recent ruling by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The tribunal has recalculated airport tariffs for 2009–14, determining that both airports are owed more than ₹50,000 crore, a shortfall expected to be recovered through sharply higher passenger charges and increased landing and parking fees.
The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority, along with Indian and major foreign airlines, has challenged the ruling in the Supreme Court, which will hear the matter this week. Early estimates suggest domestic user fees at Delhi could jump from ₹129 to ₹1,261, and international fees from ₹650 to over ₹6,300. Mumbai’s domestic charge may rise from ₹175 to ₹3,856.
Officials fear that such increases could push up ticket prices, slow passenger growth and burden travellers. The issue stems from long-running disputes over whether non-aeronautical assets, such as shops, parking and lounges, should be included in tariff calculations, a debate dating back to the early years of airport privatisation.
