Air travel to become costlier

Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has hiked air security fee or (ASF) resulting in air travel becoming costlier, from April 1. While the rise in ASF for domestic passengers is ₹40, for international passengers, the rise is ₹114.38

The new rates will be effective on tickets issued on or after April 1, 2021. However, as of now, the DGCA has suspended the international passenger flights till April 30.

The Central Industrial Security Force takes care of the security at most airports in the country under the ministry of civil aviation.

The ASF rates have been revised after around six months. In September 2020, the ASF for domestic flyers had been increased by ₹10 (to ₹160). For international passengers, it was increased to US$ 5.20 from US$ 4.85.

This comes at a time the Indian aviation has been severely affected due to Covid-19 pandemic and the international sector remains closed since May last year.

Though the domestic sector reopened on May 25, 2020, the flight capacity remains around 80%.

Moreover, even though domestic air travel is struggling to meet pre-Covid level, the government increased the lower limit of the airfare band by 35% within a month.

The government introduced the fare bands while reopening domestic travel last year with pocket-friendly airfares in order to encourage more people to travel.

Who has been exempted?

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.

How Air Security Fee is used

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.

Loss due to COVID-19 pandemic

The revised ASF comes at a time the Indian aviation sector has been severely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

while the 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.