Domestic and international air travel will get costlier from April 1. This is because the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to hike the air security fee (ASF). The revised ASF for domestic air passengers is Rs 40, while for international air passengers it's Rs 114.38.
The ASF rates have been revised after around six months. In September last year, the ASF for domestic flyers was increased by Rs 10 (to Rs160). For international passengers, it was increased to USD 5.20 from USD 4.85.
"Aviation Security Fee for domestic passengers will be levied at the rate of Rs 200 per embarking passenger. Aviation Security Fee for international passengers will be levied at the rate of USD 12 or equivalent Indian Rupees embarking passenger. The new rates will be effective on tickets issued on or after April 1, 2021," the DGCA order dated March 19 stated.
However, as of now, the DGCA has suspended the international passenger flights till April 30.
However, kids under the age of two years, diplomatic passport holders, airline crew on duty, people travelling on official duty on aircraft operated by Indian Air Force, people on UN peacekeeping mission duty, passengers in transit, transfer, deporting an airport due to involuntary rerouting are exempted from paying ASF.
Air Security Fee is mandated to help finance the increased cost of securing the nation's aviation transportation system. The revenue generated from these security fees is utilized to help ensure the safe and efficient flow of people and commerce.
The security is taken care of by the Central Industrial Security Force under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The revised ASF comes at a time the Indian aviation sector has been severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
International flights have remained closed since May last year.
The domestic sector reopened on May 25, 2020, but the flight capacity remains around 80% so far.