Major Fee Hike Looms for Delhi and Mumbai Airport Passengers
Passengers who frequently travel from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport or Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport are likely to witness a staggering 22 times surge in their user charges, which form part of airline ticket prices, according to a report by Economic Times on 1 December 2025.
What Triggered This Potential Hike?
This rise in user charges comes after a Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) order, which redefined the formula for calculating airline tariffs between the financial year 2009 and 2014.
As a result of this tribunal order, two of India's largest airports now owe more than ₹50,000 crore in dues for that period. The amount is set to be collected in the form of passenger fees, landing and parking charges, which in turn will make airline tickets significantly more expensive for passengers.
How Much Could Your Ticket Price Increase?
If the TDSAT order comes into force, the impact on passengers could be substantial:
Delhi Airport (IGI)
- Domestic passengers: User Development Fee (UDF) could rise from ₹129 to ₹1,261 — nearly a 10x increase
- International passengers: Fee increases from ₹650 to ₹6,356 — almost a 10x jump
Mumbai Airport (CSMIA)
- Domestic passengers: UDF may increase from ₹175 to ₹3,856 — a massive 22x surge
- International passengers: Fee could rise from ₹615 to ₹13,495 — a 22x increase
Legal Battle in Supreme Court
The tribunal order has been challenged in the Supreme Court by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), as well as domestic and foreign airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and Gulf Air. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria is scheduled to hear the case on Wednesday (3 December 2025).
TDSAT is the appellate tribunal that handles disputes and appeals concerning both telecom and airport economic regulation.
Background: A 20-Year-Old Dispute
The dispute started nearly twenty years ago, when the initial phase of airport privatisation happened in 2006. While AERA sets airport charges for five-year slots based on the operator's investments and revenue, it was only established in April 2009 — roughly three years after airport ownership transitioned from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to DIAL and MIAL.
DIAL is affiliated with GMR Group, whereas MIAL, now managed by Adani Group, was owned by GVK at that time.
Government Concern Over Impact on Air Travel
Following the development, government officials expressed concern that such a significant increase in charges would negatively impact passenger growth.
"Irrespective of the merits of the order, passengers shouldn't become victims of protracted legal battles between airports and airlines. This will be a body blow to passengers as overnight, there will be a massive ticket price increase. Airports are natural monopolies and airlines will have no other option but to pass on the charges to passengers."
— A government official told ET
What This Means for Indian Travellers
For budget-conscious travellers in India, this potential fee hike could significantly impact travel plans:
- Domestic flights: Ticket prices from Delhi could see an additional ₹1,132 added, while Mumbai flights could become ₹3,681 more expensive
- International flights: The impact is even greater, with Delhi flights potentially costing ₹5,706 more and Mumbai flights seeing an increase of ₹12,880
- Family travel: A family of four flying internationally from Mumbai could face nearly ₹51,500 in additional fees alone
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court hearing on 3 December 2025 will be crucial in determining whether these fee increases will be implemented. The outcome will affect millions of passengers who use Delhi and Mumbai airports — India's two busiest aviation hubs.
Passengers and airlines alike will be watching closely as this two-decade-old dispute finally heads towards a resolution that could reshape air travel costs in India.
