A blow for international passengers

The Airports Economics Regulatory Authority (AERA) has worked out an user development fee (UDF) of Rs 755 per embarking international passenger with the commissioning of the new international terminal at Thiruvananthapuram Airport. Domestic passengers will be spared the additional burden.

AERA, the regulatory authority on airline-related rates, is holding a high-level meeting with state government officials, including Chief Secretary Neela Gangadharan, and representatives of airlines in Thiruvananthapuram on April 5 to finalise the UDF.

The fresh developments have confirmed a recent report in these columns that UDF may be imposed at Thiruvananthapuram Airport soon.