Travellers using new Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh are facing steep User Development Fee (UDF) for both departures and arrivals. Local passengers worry as charges surpass those at major airports like New Delhi and Hyderabad.
Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) approved UDF of ₹835 for domestic departures from Bhogapuram. Domestic arrivals will pay ₹355,while international departures face ₹1,255 and arrivals ₹545. GMR group,managing Hyderabad and New Delhi airports, charges ₹750 for domestic departures at Shamshabad and ₹1,500 for international flights. Notably, no UDF for arrivals at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport .
As new airport opens, Visakhapatnam Airport will close. Currently,no UDF for arrivals there. Travellers will now pay UDF and cover transport to new airport.
Local officials and air travellers’ groups are unhappy with high fees. Hanumanthu Lajapathirai,former Vice Chancellor,called it disappointing,saying excitement for new airport overshadowed by UDF costs. He criticized AERA, arguing that arriving passengers, who spend little time at airport,shouldn't face such fees.
Oruganti Naresh Kumar, VP of Andhra Pradesh Air Travellers Association,and Kapuganti Srinivas, President of Vizianagaram Chamber of Commerce,urge Ministry of Civil Aviation to rethink UDF. They note many passengers from economically weak areas may struggle with costs. Srinivas suggests government aid to airport operator to lower fees, keeping airport accessible.
B.V. Ram, President of Telugu Shakti, plans to meet Union Civil Aviation Minister K . Rammohan Naidu and AERA officials in New Delhi,pushing for fee cuts. Local concern grows about affordability of flying from new airport .
As opening day nears, financial impact of flying from Bhogapuram remains hot topic. With airport set as key travel hub in North Andhra, UDF's effect on passenger numbers could shape its success…
