Bhogapuram Airport News: User Development Fee to Be Charged After Operations Begin
Bhogapuram Airport News
Passengers travelling through the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam will have to pay a User Development Fee (UDF) after the airport starts commercial operations. The fee has been approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) and will be collected from both departing and arriving passengers.
According to airport operator GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), the UDF will become applicable once the airport begins regular commercial flight services. The company informed stock exchanges that the charges have been approved by AERA, the government body responsible for regulating airport tariffs and passenger fees in India.
The User Development Fee will vary depending on the type of passenger and the destination of travel. The approved charges range from ₹355 to ₹1,255. Domestic passengers will pay lower charges, while international passengers will have to pay higher fees. The exact amount will depend on whether the passenger is arriving or departing and whether the journey is domestic or international.
The UDF is a common fee charged at many airports across India. It is collected to help airport operators recover the cost of developing, maintaining, and improving airport infrastructure. The money collected through the fee is generally used for facilities such as passenger terminals, security systems, runways, parking areas, baggage handling systems, and other airport services.
The Bhogapuram airport, officially named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, is one of Andhra Pradesh’s largest infrastructure projects. It is expected to significantly improve air connectivity in the state, especially for the North Andhra region. The airport will serve domestic and international passengers and is expected to reduce the traffic load on the existing Visakhapatnam Airport.
The new airport has been developed with modern passenger facilities and a long runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. Once fully operational, it is expected to support increased tourism, business travel, cargo movement, and international connectivity.
Authorities believe the airport will play an important role in attracting investments, creating employment opportunities, and boosting economic growth in Andhra Pradesh. Better air connectivity is also expected to benefit industries, exporters, students, and tourists travelling to and from the region.
Although passengers will have to pay the User Development Fee, airport officials say the charges will contribute to maintaining world-class infrastructure and providing better services. Similar UDF charges are already collected at several major airports across the country.
The Bhogapuram airport is scheduled to be inaugurated soon, and commercial flight operations are expected to begin shortly afterward. Once operational, passengers using the airport should be aware that the approved UDF will be included as part of their travel costs.
With modern facilities, improved connectivity, and international-standard infrastructure, the Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to become a major aviation hub in Andhra Pradesh. The introduction of the User Development Fee marks another important step in preparing the airport for full-scale commercial operations while ensuring long-term development and maintenance of its facilities.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
