Navi Mumbai’s new international airport will begin charging departing passengers a User Development Fee (UDF) of ₹620 for domestic flights and ₹1,225 for international flights from FY 2025–26, aiming to balance infrastructural investments with passenger costs. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has approved this ad-hoc UDF until 31 March 2026, or until a final tariff is determined, whichever comes first.
AERA clarified that any interim revenue collected will be adjusted during the final tariff-setting process, ensuring passengers won’t be overcharged in the long run . Arriving passengers will also bear smaller UDFs—₹270 for domestic and ₹525 for international flights . These modest charges, excluding taxes, mark a typical regulatory step to help the Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) cover initial capital costs without burdening the exchequer prematurely. AERA’s order comes ahead of the planned commercial launch later this year. NMIAL’s master plan projects an initial annual passenger capacity of 20 million—rising to 90 million by phase five. The UDF move ensures early revenue flows for the airport operator, smoothing the path towards full operations.
Compared to Mumbai’s existing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Navi Mumbai’s proposed UDFs are notably higher—CSMIA currently charges ₹207 for departing domestic and ₹726 for international travellers, all taxes included. These fees will be embedded in ticket prices for travellers using the new airport. With environmental goals in mind, AERA emphasises transparent pricing to fund eco-friendly infrastructure—such as energy-efficient terminals and green transit systems—while avoiding sudden fare spikes. Given the airport’s location and scale, it is expected to play a role in Mumbai’s multimodal, low-emission transport future.
Travellers should plan ahead by factoring these charges into ticket costs. While moderate compared to some international hubs, the UDF may raise concerns among budget-conscious flyers and trigger calls for fare equity and accountability. AERA has mandated that interim revenue be reconciled in the full tariff review—so any overcollection will be credited to passengers or reflected in future pricing. NMIAL is expected to finalise its tariff proposal for broader stakeholder consultation later this fiscal year.
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