The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority has confirmed a new pricing structure, resulting in higher charges for both departures and arrivals at Noida International Airport in comparison to those at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. For domestic travellers at Noida airport, the user development fee (UDF) will be Rs 490 upon departure and Rs 210 upon arrival, effective from June 15, 2026, through March 31, 2027. In contrast, Delhi’s IGI Airport currently imposes substantially lower fees of Rs 129 for departures and Rs 56 for arrivals.

International passengers departing from Noida will incur a UDF of Rs 980 for departures and Rs 420 for arrivals throughout the same tariff period. Although these charges are lower than those initially proposed by the airport operator, they position Noida airport among the highest for domestic passenger fees in India.

Airlines will be responsible for collecting the UDF directly from passengers as part of the airfare, subsequently transferring the fees to the airport operators. Notably, further increases in fees at Noida airport have also been approved for implementation beginning April 1, 2027.

Future Fee Increases and Cost Comparisons

Projections indicate that domestic passengers departing from Noida airport will face a UDF of Rs 541 starting in April 2027, with the fee expected to escalate to Rs 693 by the financial year 2030-31. Additionally, the arrival fees for domestic travellers are anticipated to rise, reaching Rs 297 by the same period.

In terms of aircraft handling, landing charges at Noida airport are notably elevated compared to those at IGI Airport. Domestic flights at Noida will incur landing fees of Rs 725 per metric tonne, while international operations will be charged Rs 1,088 per metric tonne. In comparison, IGI Airport’s landing fees for domestic wide-body aircraft are set at Rs 564 per metric tonne, and Rs 785 per metric tonne for international flights. Narrow-body aircraft at IGI face landing charges of Rs 347 per metric tonne for domestic flights and Rs 570 for international services.

Differences in parking regulations further highlight the financial implications for airlines operating from the two airports. At Noida airport, aircraft parking will be free for the first two hours, followed by charges of Rs 25 per metric tonne per hour, which increase to Rs 50 after four hours. Conversely, Delhi’s IGI Airport currently charges Rs 18 per metric tonne per hour for remote stands and Rs 36 for contact stands.

Expected Launch and Operational Framework

Noida International Airport is slated to open for commercial operations on June 15, 2026, after an investment of approximately Rs 11,200 crore. The first phase of the airport is anticipated to process around 12 million passengers annually and is owned by Zurich Airport International AG. IndiGo and Akasa Air are expected to be among the first airlines to commence services from this new facility.

Tax incentives may also influence airline operations, as airlines may find Noida financially appealing due to Uttar Pradesh’s significantly lower VAT on aviation turbine fuel (ATF), set at 1 per cent. In stark contrast, the Delhi government imposes a 25 per cent VAT on ATF, which could affect operational costs for airlines choosing between the two airports.

This pricing strategy and the upcoming operational changes highlight the competitive landscape of air travel in India’s National Capital Region, where the establishment of Noida International Airport aims to provide an alternative aviation hub for passengers and airlines alike.

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