International passengers using the Chennai airport need not pay the user development fee (UDF). The levy has been deferred till further notice, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

From April 1, passengers purchasing a domestic flight ticket for travel from Chennai will have to pay a UDF of Rs 166. However, passengers buying a ticket for an international flight will be spared from paying Rs 667 as UDF till further orders.

The DGCA said that the UDF will be applicable to all domestic passenger tickets purchased on or after April 2, 2013 instead of March 10, 2013.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority has approved a UDF of Rs 166 on each passenger taking a domestic flight and Rs 667 on a passenger boarding an international flight. The authority regulates tariffs for aeronautical services rendered at major airports, determines other airport charges and also monitors the performance standards of such airports.

The collection of UDF was pushed to April 1 as the new terminal building was not ready for use. The new terminal building is likely to be partially operational from March 22 when the first domestic flight arrives. But there is still no clarity on when airlines will begin international operations from the new terminal.

Senior Government officials, including Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation, S. Machendranathan, said that since the basic infrastructure at the new terminal was not ready there was no point in collecting the fee.

> ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in

> raja.simhan@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW