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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 28
Come May 1, passengers at the Chandigarh international airport will have to shell user development fee (UDF), ranging between Rs 250 and Rs 1,500 excluding service tax.
The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) today issued an order to this effect. However, the passenger facility fee (PSF) will be discounted by Rs 77 per passenger from May 1.
Disclosing this, airport chief executive officer (CEO) Suneel Dutt said domestic passengers travelling up to 165-nautical mile will have to pay Rs 250 plus service tax. Above 165-nautical mile distance, Rs 650 plus service tax will have to be paid. The UDF for per international passenger will be Rs 1,500 plus service tax. The UDF will be levied and collected by airlines on the ticket booked from May 1 onwards.
“Aeronautical Information Services (AIC) has also been issued by the Director General of Civil Aviation for levy and collection of aeronautical charges, including UDF,” Dutt informed while claiming that this will be a major step towards converting this airport into a world-class facility.
Airport CEO said, “The UDF will help the airport sustain its financial viability. With this revenue, we will be able to add more facilities like inline X-Ray machines, airline counters, escalators and go for better maintenance of infrastructure”.
What is UDF
These charges are decided by AERA on the basis of the investment by the airport operators and fair rate of return on investments. Operating income and expenditure are also considered for arriving at aeronautical chargess. Under the statutory powers, AERA has decided to levy and collect aeronautical charges, including UDF at the Chandigarh international airport for the first control period from May 1 till March 31, 2021.
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