Air fares will become costlier from April 1 after the hike in air security fee (ASF) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
While ASF has been hiked to Rs 40 for domestic passengers, Rs 114.38 has been hiked in the case of international passengers.
The DGCA has revised the ASF rates after six months.
The ASF for domestic flyers had seen a hike by Rs 10 (to Rs 160) in September last year, while it was increased from US$ 4.85 to US$ 5.20 in case of international air fares.
“Aviation Security Fee for domestic passengers will be levied at Rs 200 per embarking passenger. Aviation Security Fee for international passengers will be levied at US$ 12 or equivalent Indian Rupees per embarking passenger. The new rates will be effective on tickets issued on or after April 1, 2021,” a report quoted the DGCA order.
However, the order exempted children below two years of age, holders of diplomatic passports, airline crew and persons travelling on official duty Indian Air Force operated aircrafts from paying the revised aviation security fee.
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People on official duty on United Nations peacekeeping missions, passengers in transit of transfer or those departing from any airport due to involuntary rerouting will also not have to pay the fees.
The aviation ministry had introduced fare bands to encourage domestic air travel in India after the domestic sector opened on May 25 last year.
Despite this the flight capacity is around 80 per cent.
The international sector has not resumed with the second wave of Covid-19 gripping several countries across the globe.