Mangaluru: The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) of India has allowed the Mangaluru International Airport Limited to levy existing tariff (as applicable on September 30, 2022) up to March 2023 on interim basis until the tariff is determined.

Seven major airports, including Mangaluru airport, had submitted MYTP (Multi Year Tariff Proposal) to AERA in September this year. The airport had proposed increasing the user development fee (UDF) by Rs 100 for domestic passengers to undertake development activities.

It has also sought permission to levy the fee on both arriving and departing passengers.

The Mangaluru airport, in its tariff filing proposal, has sought to levy a UDF of Rs 250 on domestic passengers from this October, and gradually increase it to Rs 725 by March 31, 2026.

For worldwide passengers, it has sought to levy a UDF of Rs 525 and increase it to Rs 1,200 by March 2026.

Presently, the UDF fixed is Rs 150 for home and Rs 825 for worldwide passengers. At present, the UDF is collected from departing passengers, sources said. 

The proposal also included developmental works, including brand new terminal and a cargo terminal at an estimated cost of Rs 5,200 crore. The AERA, in its order, observed that tariff determination process will take some time.

This is in exercise of powers conferred by section 13(1)(a) of Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008, Mangaluru airport and six other major airports were allowed to collect existing user fee on interim basis for a period of six months or till the user fee is determined.

Sources in Mangaluru airport said tariff has not been revised since 2010.